BLACKSBURG- The No. 19 Virginia Tech men’s soccer team (7-2-0) fell to the No. 7 Clemson Tigers (5-1-1) 2-1 on Friday night at Thompson Field. The teams were tied 1-1 until Clemson was able to score with three minutes remaining on the clock.
The Hokies got on the board first in the 15th minute as Elias Tamburini scored his second goal of the season. Tamburini got the ball in the box when a shot from Brendan Moyers rebounded off the goal post. Tech continued to control possession through the middle of the first half. Clemson’s Diego Campos got a free kick called just outside the box and Aaron Jones was able to send it home for the Tigers in the 41st minute.
The second half started off as an equal battle with both teams trying for that second goal. With the half winding down, the Hokies saw four great chances all sailing wide of the goal post. The Tigers pulled ahead in the 87th minute off a goal from Grayson Raynor, assisted by Oliver Shannon to win it.
The Hokies are back in action next Friday as they travel to in-state rival Virginia. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Head Coach Mike Brizendine Quotes
-“The first thing I said to the team after the game was how proud I was of them for their fight tonight. I thought they were excellent tonight. We gave up an unfortunate goal in the first half which changed the momentum a little bit.”
-“After halftime, we came out strong and preformed. I thought we had chances. Look, they scored an unbelievable goal with a couple of minutes left to beat us. It was a good performance.”
-“Obviously, we are disappointed we are walking away from this contest without any points but I thought the guys played strong.”
Notes
-Halftime shots: CU 9-6
-Final shots: CU 18-15
-Tamburini second goal of the season
-Record when tied at the half 4-1-0
-VT SOG .400%
-CU SOG .277%
-First Top 25 matchup on Thompson Field since 2007
-Attendance: 1412