CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (August 19, 2011) – A goal by Virginia’s Gloria Douglas in the 89th minute pushed No. 10 Virginia past visiting No. 13 West Virginia Friday night at Klöckner Stadium in Charlottesville, Va.

 

            Virginia held possession of the ball for much of the second half and struck late as Douglas turned on a ball inside the box, sending a ball inside the right post for the game-winner.

 

            “I’m never satisfied with a loss but this was a battle out there between two very good, NCAA tournament-caliber teams,” said coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “We played well at times but in the end, Virginia finished two chances and we only finished one.”

 

            The Cavaliers (1-0-0) out-shot the Mountaineers (0-0-1), 12-7, in the season opener for both teams. WVU held a 6-4 corner kick edge, including an attempt in the final 20 seconds with a Drea Barklage header sent wide of the goal.

 

The Mountaineers took an early 1-0 lead off the head of defender Erica Henderson. Midfielder Kate Schwindel served a corner kick into the heart of the box that deflected around between teams. Barklage flicked the ball on to Henderson who’s shot found the back of the net in the eighth minute.

 

West Virginia’s goal was created by defender Bry McCarthy pushing forward to earn the game’s first corner kick.

 

Virginia tied the contest in the 23rd minute off a give-and-go created on the left side of the field, a cross from Molly Menchel finding Morgan Brian in the middle of the box. Brian volleyed the ball it into the back of the net from 15 yards out.

 

            Sara Keane worked all 90 minutes in goal for WVU, making three saves, while UVA’s Chantel Jones made two stops on the night.

 

            Henderson is the first Mountaineer defender to net the season-opening goal since Lisa Zanti scored against Michigan State in 2003.

 

The Mountaineers return to action with their home opener against Purdue on Sunday, Aug. 21, at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and is a “Dollar Day” match with all tickets and select concessions available for $1 each.