Women’s Soccer Shocks the ACC with Late Draw at No 2. Virginia

By Collin Davies | @DaviesCollin

Citrus TV Women’s Soccer Beat Reporter

Syracuse drew No. 2 Virginia 2-2 on the road in thrilling fashion this afternoon. For SU to get a result in this game, they needed to catch some breaks. Unfortunately for them, they couldn’t catch one before the game, as their two top goal scorers, Erin Flurey and Chelsea Domond were ruled out.But as soon as the ball kicked off, they got their break. A ball sent into UVA’s box was volleyed into the goal by their own center back in just the second minute. 

The own goal set the pace for the rest of the game. Coach Adams made the decision to play with the lead. The choice didn’t create scoring opportunities for the Orange, but limited them for the Cavaliers. 

Virginia was able to break through in the 24th minute as Maggie Cagle dribbled past multiple defenders for a far post finish. The show of talent equalized the game. Cagle didn’t stop there. In the 62nd minute, she cut up a few more defenders to open up space and send a ground cross in. The pass landed right on the foot of Jill Flammia who finished it. That was Flammia’s first goal of her collegiate career. UVA led 2-1. 

The two UVA goals were a result of dominance ever since they conceded. The Cavaliers outshot the Orange 24-3. Syracuse didn’t threaten UVA for 88 minutes. But the 21-shot advantage wouldn’t be enough.

The drama occurred in the 88th minute when Pauline Machtens got a good opportunity. She fired a shot from 16 yards out to the back post, but Cayla White made a fully outstretched save. Koby Commandant crashed the net and followed it up to equalize.

Syracuse’s resilience shined through in this matchup. They got two goals against a top team without their two primary goal scorers. Also, just days after her mistake led to a 1-0 loss, Shea Vanderbosch made nine saves. Many of those saves were of extreme importance and difficulty. This game also followed two one goal losses to former top-5 teams.

Next up for the Orange, they are back home on Friday against Clemson at 7 p.m. The Tigers are 7-4-2 and coming off a top-25 win against Virginia Tech.