CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW)- Virginia football kicked off its season with a dominating victory over Coastal Carolina, while field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball and cross country continued their action. Men’s and women’s golf get underway this week.
Football
Virginia football rocketed out of the blocks with a 48-7 triumph over the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. New quarterback Chandler Morris threw for a pair of touchdowns, stellar defensive play held the visitors in check, and special teams, a problem area for much of the last few seasons, was near perfect.
One of the stars of the special teams unit (and the offense), JMU transfer receiver Cam Ross, ran 100 yards for a kickoff return touchdown. Ross’s efforts in the game earned him ACC Player of the Week honors as both a receiver and a special teamer. The Hoos take on the N.C. State Wolfpack this Saturday, kickoff is at 12:00pm. The Wolfpack is 1-0 after beating East Carolina 24-17 in week one.
Field Hockey
The No. 3 Virginia field hockey team started the season with a ranked battle on Friday evening, handling No. 18 Penn State comfortably 5-1. Stellar defense from UVA keeper Nilou Lempers, and a relentless attack that saw five different Hoos finding the net stamped a strong showing to begin the year.
Starring on both sides of the ball, Virginia defender Lauren Sloan earned ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors. She and the Hoos have another ranked contest ahead, against No. 13 Ohio State Friday at 4 p.m. in Columbus. Two wins against Ball State and Kent State set the Buckeyes up for a threatening performance in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Volleyball
UVA volleyball headed to the nation’s capital for the DC challenge to battle Georgetown, George Washington, and Howard.
The Hoos had little trouble taking care of their opponents in the District, downing both Georgetown and Howard in three easy sets, and only taking four sets to shut down George Washington.
That sets Coach Shannon Wells’ team up perfectly with all the momentum going into Thursday’s Cavalier Classic, where they will battle VCU (1-1) Thursday at 6 p.m. and Appalachian State (3-0) on Saturday at 2 p.m., at the Aquatic and Fitness Center on Grounds.
Women’s Soccer
The Cavalier women started the long weekend off right with a 3-0 thumping of Charlotte on Thursday night, with Kiki Maki, Maggie Cagle, and Sophia Bradley all finding the net for the first time in 2025. Sunday’s ranked battle with the No. 16 Georgetown Hoyas though was a bit more frustrating, with Virginia squandering Lia Godfrey’s first goal conceding a 69th minute equalizer, bringing the final score to 1-1. The Hoos remain unbeaten to battle Penn State this Thursday at 6 p.m. in Charlottesville. The Nittany Lions are 3-1-1 following a draw with JMU on Sunday.
Men’s Soccer
Meanwhile, George Gelnovatch and the men’s squad were 2-0 entering the long weekend and returned from Fairfax with their first loss of the season, 4-1 to George Mason. Despite the result, first year Nick Simmons made his first appearance on the scoresheet and continued his sharp play against American on Monday. The Labor Day hero, however, was not a rookie, but a veteran, as midfielder Umberto Pela scored nine minutes into the match. The strike proved decisive, bringing the Hoos their third victory of the season. The Commonwealth Clash against the No. 8 Virginia Tech Hokies awaits Friday at 7 p.m. in Blacksburg. The Hokies are 2-0-1 on the year, beginning their season with a 1-0 upset of No. 3 Ohio State.
Cross Country
With a mere 18 points in the women’s race and 16 in the Men’s on their record, along with two race victories for their fastest runners, the Virginia Cavaliers began the Cross-Country season with a resounding victory in the Spider Alumni open in Richmond. Stella Kearnes and Nicholas Bendtsen finished at the front of the pack in both races for the Hoos. The victory is the perfect leadup to the Virginia Invitational at Panorama Farms on Sept. 12.
