Hokie Club
BLACKSBURG – In an evenly-contested battle that showcased two of the ACC's tougher sides, No. 19 Clemson reigned victorious, 16-12, over Virginia Tech on Saturday at Thompson Field.
Sophomore Olivia Vergano and Maura O'Malley led the Hokies in scoring, accounting for four goals each. Freshman Ella Rishko added two goals, while senior Hannah Mardiney and junior Claire Schotta tacked on one apiece.
The Hokies struck early, as Vergano scored on a free-position attempt less than a minute into the game. While the Tigers fired back quickly with two goals of their own, Vergano, O'Malley and Schotta pieced together a 3-0 run for Tech that fired the Hokies into a 4-2 lead. After that mark, the two sides would go back and forth for three goals each until the 9:51 mark in the second quarter.
Clemson ended the first half scoring three unanswered goals after hauling in three draw controls to take an 8-7 lead into the break.
The third quarter continued in the first half's theme, as both sides would match each other goal-for-goal with the exception of the Tigers' final score of that quarter that pushed them into a 12-10 lead.
Mardiney and Rishko scored the first two goals of the fourth quarter to even the game up at 12-12 with 8:44. Unfortunately for Tech, Clemson stepped on the gas in the circle and won the final five draw controls of the game that limited the Hokies' possessions and fueled a 4-0 Tigers run to end the game.
As a whole, the Hokies protected the ball well with a season-low eight turnovers, but limited possession restricted the Tech offense at least 12 goals in each of its last four ACC games.
Up next, the Hokies will host Furman at 2 p.m. on Monday at Thompson Field.Gallery: (4-15-2023) LAX: Clemson Match
Gallery: (4-15-2023) LAX: 2023 Virginia Tech Senior Day