In its first ACC match-up of the season, the women’s soccer team recorded a victory over the Virgina Cavaliers.

The 2-1 victory is the team’s first ACC win since 2006 and its first win over Virginia since 1995.

Sophomore forward Paige Dugal, who scored both of the Pack’s goal, said her team was relieved to get its first ACC win of the season out of the way.

“It was so nice to start out the season, battle, and come out with a win,” Dugal said. “Hopefully we can continue that throughout the season.”

The Pack began the scoring early with a goal in the fifth minute from Dugal. She buried the left footed shot in the box to the far left post off a pass from freshman midfielder Kara Blosser.

The Cavaliers kept the offensive pressure on in the first half, out shooting the Pack 9-2 and forcing sophomore goalkeeper Kim Kern to make three saves.

Sophomore forward Tanya Cain nearly extended State’s lead with a shot from 20 yards out.

The Cavs nearly scored in the 53rd minute with a shot from 10 yards out by forward Meghan Lenczyk, but again Kern came up with a diving save to preserve the lead.

Virginia scored in the 69th minute off a shot on the ground from midfielder Kate Norbo.

The Pack picked up its offensive intensity in the final minutes, marching down the field with a determined attitude.

The intensity paid off in the form a of cross from sophomore forward Tanya Cain to Dugal, who headed the ball to the back of the net from just outside the six yard box in the 88th minute.

“I headed it and it just went in,” Dugal said. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget that one, for sure.”

The Cavaliers outshot the Wolfpack 21-4, earning eight corner kicks to State’s two.

“Going into the game we knew that would happen,” coach Steve Sprinththorpe said. “For me it’s not about how many shots we didn’t shoot, it’s how many went into the back of the net.”

Kern ended the night with 10 saves to keep the Pack in the game. Springthorpe said Kern picked the Pack up when it needed her most.

“Kim [Kern] had a great game,” Springthorpe said. “She was great at organizing and doing all the things that you want your goalkeeper to do.”

The victory was more than just a regular season win for the players, according to Kern.

“One of the biggest games I ever won here was my state championship game my senior year [of high school] and this feels 10 times bigger than that,” Kern said. “It feels good to make strides forward as a team.”

The win brings the team to 6-2-1 and 1-0-0 in the ACC. It will host Virginia Tech this Sunday at Dail Soccer Stadium at 1 p.m.