Syracuse women’s soccer crushed 4-0 by No. 15 Virginia
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Barack Obama was in his second term as president of the United States. Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors were beginning their quest to repeat as NBA champions. The Weeknd’s hit “The Hills” topped the Billboard Hot 100.
That’s what was happening in October 2015, the last time Syracuse women’s soccer won consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference games. Under head coach Phil Wheddon, SU beat NC State, Miami and Wake Forest in three straight contests. Since then, though, any momentum from the Orange has been short-lived.
After beating Pittsburgh 2-1 on Sept. 24, SU had the opportunity to break that streak Saturday. Awaiting was No. 15 Virginia, which the Orange hadn’t beaten in 11 tries.
And the skid continued.
One game after its first ACC win at home since 2022, Syracuse (4-6-2, 1-4-0, ACC) was demolished 4-0 by No. 15 Virginia (6-2-2, 2-2-0) for its worst loss of 2026. SU was outshot 23-1, and Maya Naimoli allowed a season-high four goals in the defeat.
After using a 3-5-2 last season, the Orange have experimented with different formations in 2026. First it was 4-5-1, then 3-6-1. Saturday, it was 4-4-2.
Farrah Stephens-Martin and Abby Incorvaia started up top, while Sarah Weisberg made her second start of the season in midfield. Vickie Jones, who’s tied for SU’s lead with three goals, didn’t start for the first time in 2026.
Maybe Jones would’ve made a difference. Maybe she wouldn’t have. Either way, nothing worked for Syracuse’s offense all night, and Virginia dominated possession from the get-go.
The Cavaliers peppered Naimoli with shots early, though the netminder held steady. The Youngstown State transfer entered Saturday with an ACC-leading 41 saves this season and made three saves within the first six minutes.
Addison Halpern recorded an early shot on goal, one of her three on the night. Though she didn’t score, the sophomore commanded the fast-paced UVA offense.
In the eighth minute, Virginia set up for its third corner kick of the contest. Ella Carter found Giovana Canali in front of the net, and Canali scored with her upper body to make it 1-0.
It was Canali’s third goal of the year, and her first since returning to Virginia’s starting lineup on Sept. 25. She missed six games while playing for Brazil in the 2026 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland. After scoring, Canali danced to Samba while gesturing a heart to the crowd.
SU was only down a goal, but it desperately needed an offensive spark. So, Adams brought in Leda Naihin for the first time since Sept. 3. It was her third appearance all season.
Naihin’s presence didn’t add much. Syracuse spread the ball around via short passes, and UVA’s ferocious defense quickly took control.
With 11 minutes left in the first half, Halpern found Sophia Bradley near the net. Bradley initially scored, but the goal was disallowed for offsides.
Syracuse was outshot 15-0 in the first half, yet it just trailed 1-0. With a lucky bounce, perhaps it could’ve tied the game early in the second. Not quite.
Moo Galbus recorded Syracuse’s first shot of the game midway through the half, but it was blocked. Stephens-Martin showcased her speed on a counterattack, but she was engulfed by Virginia’s defense.
In the 80th minute, the Cavaliers doubled their lead. Halpern saw a cutting Aniyah Collier, who poked the ball into the net to put the game out of SU’s reach. Collier, who didn’t play in 2024 and 2025, notched her second goal in the last month.
Three minutes later, Jordyn Hardeman tacked on another UVA goal. Her booming shot from outside the crease caught Naimoli off guard, making it 3-0 Cavaliers.
Under two minutes after Hardeman’s goal, she scored again. This time it was via a penalty kick, ending a nightmarish second half for Naimoli.
All Syracuse’s sideline could do was watch.
Sporting a navy blue jacket, Adams slowly walked off the Klockner Stadium pitch with a dejected look on her face. It spelled an end to an all-too-familiar night for SU.
