Under the lights: UVA vs Duke women’s soccer

On Thursday Sept. 23, the UVA Women’s Soccer team warms up preparing to take on the Duke Blue Devils. People trickle in as the sun dips behind the bleachers at Klöckner stadium. The trees are capped in golden light that swiftly fades, and the players retreat to the locker rooms before the game begins.

The line to the concession stand fills up like the bleachers towering above it. The stand sells bottled water, hot chocolate, nachos, pizza, candy, and an assortment of other goodies that draw people to it. Salty smells waft from the popcorn and pretzels mixing with the crisp smell of autumn. The sun sinks down making a cool chill sweep the stadium.

The players march out onto the field. The UVA Cavaliers, ranked No. 7, wear their all-white home uniform while Duke, ranked No. 2, wears their all-black away uniforms. The commentator calls out the names of the players before they take the field. With a short whistle blast, the game begins.

The two teams face off, knocking the ball around the pitch. It is quick paced as both teams look to gain the upper hand. The whole crowd cheers as #25, Samar Guidry, makes a cross down the left wing for UVA, but Duke clears it away.

“Boom,” a UVA supporter cries out as a shot curls toward the top corner, but Duke’s goalkeeper, Ruthie Jones, tips it out for a corner. Little kids run and jump near the grassy fence as the game goes on.

The first half comes to an end, after a tense and high-spirited segment, both teams are still 0-0. As people get up to get something to drink or have a quick walk, a youth team takes the pitch scrimmaging against themselves for halftime entertainment. The kids call out to each other running across the grass. But soon they must leave the pitch for the teams to come back on.

The game continues, still scoreless, as the players shout across the field pinging the ball around. But the tide shifts twelve minutes in. A long pass curls into Diana Ordoñez, a UVA forward, who slots it into the back of the net. Klöckner stadium erupts in cheers and the clanging of shoes on the metal bleachers. UVA bunches up, hugging each other as they run back to their side of the field.

The ball rolls once again as Duke kicks off, and they are hungry for a goal. The Blue Devils press UVA, getting several shots off as the minutes slowly tick by. Both teams battle for the ball. Laurel Ivory, UVA’s goalkeeper, must make a couple saves as Duke tries to level the game. But UVA stand their ground, fighting to get another goal themselves. The clock counts down and as it reaches zero, the buzzer goes off signaling the end of the game and the win for the Cavaliers.

As the clapping slowly dies, the commentator thanks everyone for coming, wishing safe travels and to come again. The next opportunity to see the UVA women play at home comes on Oct. 17 as they match up against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

When asked about the game, a bystander said that it is such a great opportunity to watch powerhouse teams like UVA and Duke competing in our backyard. He mentioned his gratitude that everyone living near UVA and Charlottesville has this opportunity to watch, learn, and have fun at these games.