Hokie ClubCLEMSON, S.C. - The Virginia Tech men's soccer fell 3-0 to Clemson tonight at Historic Riggs Field.
The Tigers (6-8-4, 3-2-3) came out firing in the early going recording four shots and a pair of corners in the first 18 minutes before Tech had its first shot of the game, a quality attempt from Ben Strong. Four minutes later though, Clemson's leading goal scorer, Austin Savage, found the back of the net. Dribbling at Drew Ranahan, the senior hit a low shot from the top of the box that found the inside of the right post.
Tech (6-9-3, 0-7-1) nearly tied the game up two minutes later as Strong sent a cross into the box off a corner kick. Ranahan got his head on the ball and sent it toward the underside of the crossbar, but Clemson keeper Cody Mizell got his hands up quickly and was able to make the save.
With just under a minute remaining in the half, David Clemens hit a low strike on frame from 25 yards that forced Mizell to make a diving stop to his right.
Clemson took a 1-0 lead into the half, along with a 9-5 advantage in shots, but it was the Hokies that held a 4-3 edge in shots on goal as they had several quality opportunities that forced saves out of Mizell.
After few chances from Tech in the early going of the second half, the Tigers picked up their pressure. Clemson made it 2-0 in 64th minute as Savage made run into the box. Kyle Renfro came out to make a sliding grab at ball, but it bounced back to Alex Stockinger at the top of the box. The junior hit his shot to the right side past Renfro.
Stockinger got his second of the game seven minutes later. With players running back on defense, Ara Amirkhanian slotted a pass across the 18-yard box to Stockinger at the top of the box. The midfielder again made his opportunity from just outside count as he gave the Tigers a 3-0 lead.
The Tigers held an 8-6 edge in shots goal and a 9-4 advantage in corner kicks. Savage led all shot takers with six, putting four on target, while Clemens led the Hokies with three shots, all on frame. Mizell had six saves for the Tigers while Renfro recorded five for Tech.
The Hokies will return to action on Monday afternoon in College Park, Md., as they play NC State in the first round of the ACC Tournament. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.