No. 9 Virginia Tech women fall at No. 7 Clemson, 3-2

CLEMSON, S.C. (Via Virginia Tech University) – Clemson scored the game-winning goal with less than 11 minutes to play and the Tigers defeated the Hokies, 3-2, in a battle of two top 10 ACC women’s soccer teams at Riggs Field on Sunday.

The loss drops the ninth-ranked Hokies to 12-2-1 on the season and 4-2 in ACC action, while the seventh-ranked Tigers improve to 10-2-1 overall and 4-2 in conference play.

“It was a good, hard-fought match for both teams,” head coach Chugger Adair said. “The scoring went back and forth. I thought we had a little bit of a flow there at the end after tying it up 2-2. I was proud of the girls and the work they did.”

The Tigers got on the board first, as Claire Wagner scored off of a free kick play in the 17th minute of action, with an assist by Gabby Byorth. Tech tied the score in the 33rd minute, as Alani Johnson headed in a goal off of a pass from Kallie Peurifoy. It was Johnson’s fourth goal of the season. The match remained 1-1 entering the intermission. At the 53:00 mark, Clemson retook the lead, as Abby Jones scored, assisted by Paige Reckert.

Tech evened the match once again, as Candace Cephers tapped in a loose ball in front of the net following a scramble off of a corner kick by Peurifoy. It was Cephers’ fourth goal of the season. The match remained tied until the 83:11 mark, as Shannon Horgan went to the top right corner of the goal from 25 yards out for what proved to be the game-winner.

Kaylyn Smith took the loss in goal for the Hokies; recording five saves against the Tigers. Clemson out shot Tech, 13-10, but Tech held the advantage in corner kicks, 8-2. The Hokies took nine of their 10 shots in the second half.

“I was proud of the fight the girls had today and their determination,” Adair concluded. “We’re looking forward to getting home against Miami and getting past our three road games in a row.”

Today’s match concluded a stretch of three consecutive road ACC matches, two coming against nationally ranked squads. The Hokies return to Thompson Field on Saturday night, as they host Miami. The match will begin at 7 p.m.