Terrapin women’s soccer coach Brian Pensky rarely breaks character.

A symbol of consistency on the sidelines for the No. 7 Terps, he tends to be calm and even-keeled, almost stoic.

But after the Terps toppled No. 9 Virginia last night, 3-2, the sixth-year coach couldn’t contain himself. He bounced around the sidelines, hugging assistant coaches, athletic trainers and anyone else he could reach despite a head-to-toe drenching from the steady torrent of rain that had pelted Ludwig Field throughout the game.

“I’m so happy for our team,” Pensky said. “They feel so good right now. Virginia’s such a good team.”

The unbeaten Terps (9-0-1, 1-0-1 ACC) in no way cruised to last night’s victory. The Cavaliers tied the game after the Terps staked 1-0 and 2-1 leads and relentlessly pressed for the equalizer after an Olivia Wagner corner kick found Danielle Hubka for the eventual game-winner in the 74th minute.

But unlike in years past, the Terps were able to finish off the powerful Cavaliers. Last season, Virginia earned a draw with a last-second goal. In 2008, the Terps forced overtime after falling behind 2-0, only to lose in the extra period..

Not Thursday. The Cavaliers (7-2-1, 1-1) threw everything they had at the Terps in the final 15 minutes, including a 25-yard laser from midfielder Colleen Flanagan in the 84th minute that touched off the crossbar after a deflection from Terp goalkeeper Yewande Balogun, who finished with five saves.

“In general, to be a part of the University of Maryland, there’s no better feeling than beating the University of Virginia,” Pensky said.

There was no shortage of drama in last night’s game. The Cavaliers had surrendered just two goals all season entering the match. Then the Terps buried three.

There were two penalty kicks in the second half. Terp forward Sade Ayinde buried the first to give the Terps a 2-1 lead in the 52nd minute only to see that lead erased by a successful Meghan Lenczyk penalty kick in the 66th minute.

Midfielder Lydia Hastings opened the scoring with a rocket from just inside the box in the third minute. After forward Jasmyne Spencer picked a Cavalier defender’s pocket, she slid it to Hastings, who put it past Virginia goalkeeper Chantel Jones with authority.

The Terps’ first ACC victory came, as it usually has this season, with the help of their depth. Ayinde, Hubka and Wagner, who were all instrumental in the Terps’ two second-half goals, all started the game on the bench.

“We want kids that are going to compete and put their bodies at risk,” Pensky said. “Sade comes on with great composure from a sub, and another sub in Hubka gets the game winner. That’s big-time.”

The Terps resume ACC play Sunday, when they travel to Blacksburg, Va., for a bout with Virginia Tech (6-5, 0-2).

cwalsh@umdbk.com