Charlottesville, Va.- The FDU Women's soccer team (9-11-2) played #3 Virginia (14-3-3) today, November 12th at 6PM in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Knights fought throughout the match and gave it their all but fell short to a very talented Virginia side. 

1st Half 

• In the 7' #3 Virginia was awarded a penalty that Haley Hopkins stepped up to take. Sophomore keeper Malene Nielsen repeated her NEC Championship game heroics and saved the penalty to keep the score level at 0-0.  
• Following the penalty save in the 7' the Cavaliers pounced on the rebound and sent in a cross to Haley Hopkins who scored with her head to give #3 Virginia a 1-0 lead.  
• Sophomore striker Aitana Martínez-Montoya created the first chance of the game for the Knights in the 12' when she dribbled the ball down the touchline and sent in a low cross to the freshman Katie Ward whose attempt was blocked.  
• Nielsen again came up big in the 33' when she saved a low-driven attempt from outside the box and sent the ball out for a corner.  
• The Knights played an amazing first half and frustrated the Cavaliers with their high energy and great pressing. 
• #3 Virginia had a 1-0 lead going into the half and the Knights had all to play for in the next 45 minutes.  

2nd Half  

• The Knights created the first two chances of the second half, the first coming in the 50' from a set piece when graduate student Paula Ruess took a shot from distance and forced the keeper to make a save.  
• The next chance came in the 53' when Martínez-Montoya dribbled received a pass from Ward and took a powerful shot from distance which tested the keeper but could not beat her.  
• In the 60' The Cavaliers were awarded another penalty which was a much more controversial call than the first one. This time Alexa Spaanstra stepped up to the spot and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.  
• In the 68' Nielsen made an amazing diving fingertip stop to push the ball onto the frame of the net and force the ball out for a corner.  
• Again, Nielsen made an amazing double save in the 78' when she made a great 1-on-1 stop then got up and made a diving save to keep the score at 2-0.  
• #3 Virginia then scored in the 83' and 84' when the Knights were down to 10 players to make the score 4-0 which the game concluded at.  

"The team gave it everything they had, and we were right in it until a few tough calls went against us which really changed the game and was too much to overcome that late in the match. The team did so much this year and you have to be proud of all the players and what they have accomplished for our program. Every one of the graduating students are such special people, they have done so much for this program and the legacy they are leaving behind can't be overlooked." Stated head coach Eric Teepe "We always talk about how the season starts in the Spring so when we get there we will think about next year and improve on some of the things that we need to do a little bit better. There is a lot to be proud of this year and a lot to look forward to in future years which we are excited about." 

The Knights had an outstanding year making history during this journey by winning the NEC Championship and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history. Everyone is so proud of what this team has accomplished and is thankful for all the amazing support from the fans throughout the year. The team could not have accomplished all the amazing achievements without all the support from the fans.  

Connect with FDU women's soccer on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsWSOC.