Virginia’s women’s soccer team prevailed in a beautiful sunny Klöckner Stadium on Sunday. The Cavaliers (4-0, 0-0 ACC) had five different goal scorers in their 5-0 victory over Utah Valley (2-1-1, 0-0 WAC).

The Cavaliers were relentless from the opening whistle, and their constant pressure reached its peak in the tenth minute when midfielder Laughlin Ryan delivered a dazzling cross that forward Allie Ross headed into the net. Just two minutes later, Ryan got the ball again just outside the box – her shot landed at just the right time and flew over the goalkeeper’s outstretched hands, increasing Virginia’s lead to 2-0.

The Wolverines almost got back in the game shortly afterward when veteran midfielder Manthy Brady’s shot hit the inside of the post but bounced off the goal line, allowing the Cavaliers to clear the ball forward. Utah Valley did not have many scoring opportunities throughout the game as Virginia’s midfield dominated possession and the pace of play.

With time running out in the first half, junior defenseman Tatum Galvin attempted a daring long-range shot that hung high in the air and bounced off the crossbar. The Cavaliers entered the half with a two-goal lead and refused to let up the pressure.

Just minutes into the second half, Virginia went on the offensive again. Veteran forward Linda Mittermair fired too wide from the right as the cross drifted toward the left side of the box. Galvin shielded the Wolverines’ closest defender, allowing veteran midfielder Alexis Theoret room to fire a half-volley that confused Utah Valley’s unsuspecting goalkeeper and found the back of the net – the hosts’ third goal.

Midway through the half, Ryan had a chance on the break where she only had to beat the goalkeeper. Although Ryan made a good save to deny her goal, Mittermair followed up and buried the shot to extend the lead to 4-0. The Cavaliers made it 5-0 in the 75th minute when young striker Sophia Bradley’s shot deflected and bounced past the errant goalkeeper.

The clear victory was a testament to Virginia’s overall performance – Utah Valley was not an easy team either, as they had already beaten No. 4 BYU and Michigan this season. The Cavaliers’ defense was strong, allowing only five shots from the Wolverines in the game – whenever the visitors tried to attack, a Virginia defender was quickly there to thwart the chance. Coach Steve Swanson emphasized that the defense must remain solid for a successful season.

“We’re versatile,” Swanson said. “We’ve used a number of players (on defense) that have been really good contributors to us all season, so that’s been good and we’ll have to rely on that.”

On offense, Ryan was the star of the show, scoring a goal and two assists. Her beautiful shot in the first half will undoubtedly be a highlight of the season. Although she scored both of her goals this season from outside the box, that’s not necessarily her main goal or specialty.

“Honestly, my personal game goal was to just play on the outside, but she kept letting me go inside,” Ryan said. “I was like, ‘OK, I’ll take it.’ Then she gave me a chance and I was like, ‘Let me just try to shoot at this level and see what happens.'”

The Cavaliers have had a spectacular start to the season and will look to carry that into their game against James Madison in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.