CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Third-ranked Virginia closed out the 2014 regular season Saturday night by downing Pittsburgh 6-1 at Klöckner Stadium. The Cavaliers (17-1, 9-1 Atlantic Coastal Conference) extended their winning streak to seven games, while the Panthers saw their season end with a 6-12 record (2-8 ACC).
The win extended Virginia's home field win streak to 29 games, the longest active streak in the nation and the eighth longest streak in Division I women's soccer history.
The Virginia fourth-years celebrated Senior Night in style as Morgan Brian scored twice in her return from duty with the United States Women's National Team and Danielle Colaprico added a goal. Junior Makenzy Doniak, sophomore Alexis Shaffer and first-year Stephanie Krouskos also scored for the Cavaliers, who tied a season high with six goals.
The Cavaliers took the lead in the 31st minute after Tina Lordanou was fouled just outside the box. Brian drilled the ensuing 20-yard free kick around the wall and inside the near post. Brian struck again six minutes later as Shaffer sent a through ball to Brian who scored her sixth of the season, on the breakaway.
Virginia extended the advantage to 3-0 in the 60th minute as Emily Sonnett made a run from her center back position into the attack and threaded a ball to Doniak, who turned and fired a shot inside the far post for her team-leading 13th goal of the season. The score also marked the sixth consecutive game Doniak has scored a goal, the third-longest streak in Virginia history.
Colaprico notched her sixth goal of the season in the 66th minute. She stole a ball in the midfield and dribbled to the top of the box, where she blasted a shot just under the crossbar to make the score 4-0. In the 74th minute Shaffer received a pass from Veronica Latsko and fired a shot off the underside of the crossbar and in for her fifth goal of the year.
Pitt got on the scoreboard in the 81st minute when Taylor Pryce scored on a pass over the top from Roosa Arvas. The final goal of the night came in the 87th minute as Krouskos chipped a ball over the keeper for the sixth Cavalier goal of the night.
Overall, Virginia outshot Pitt 36-3 and had an 11-1 corner kick advantage. Sophomores Morgan Stearns and Jessie Ferrari each played a half in goal for Virginia. Taylor Francis made seven saves in goal for the Panthers before giving way to Margot Shore, who had two saves.
