Abello settles overtime opener after Penn State erases Virginia’s lead — August 28, 2026

Virginia needed one more finish after a three-goal lead disappeared. Mia Abello supplied it in overtime, giving the fifth-ranked Cavaliers a 4-3 season-opening win at Penn State on Aug. 28.

Abello converted a penalty corner at 65:27, with Mary Adams and Emma Watchilla assisting. The winner rescued a game Virginia had led 3-0 entering the fourth quarter, according to Virginia’s official recap.

Rylee Dennis opened the scoring just 56 seconds into the match. Riley Savage added a second-quarter goal from Caitlin Connell, and Livvy Barker scored in her collegiate debut after an Amelie Rees assist. Those finishes gave the Cavaliers goals in each of the first three periods.

Penn State answered with three goals in less than six minutes. Olivia Marthins began the comeback, Ella Gaitan brought the Nittany Lions within one, and Chloe Dhage tied it with 5:32 left in regulation.

The official box score shows Virginia kept creating chances after the equalizer. Aby Deverka stopped shots from Lauren Sloan and Abello during late regulation corners. In overtime, Virginia took two shots and allowed none before Abello ended the contest.

Penn State finished with a 12-9 advantage in shots, but Virginia put seven attempts on goal to the hosts’ six. Both Deverka and Virginia goalkeeper Nilou Lempers made three saves. Four different Cavaliers scored, while Abello and Dennis each attempted two shots.

The final sequence gave Virginia a winning start despite the fourth-quarter reversal. Instead of leaving State College with a lost three-goal cushion as the result, the Cavaliers left 1-0.