CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia Tech fell to No. 11 Virginia, 15-10, in Charlottesville on Thursday night in its ACC regular season finale. Olivia Vergano led the team with five goals and an assist on a night that saw her surpass 100 career points.
In a game that never felt too far out of reach for the Hokies, Virginia only had a decisive advantage in draw controls (17-12), shots on goal (22-18) and ground balls (14-11).
Tech struck first with a goal from Vergano at the 12:55 mark in the first quarter then doubled her tally later in the quarter.
The Cavaliers started the second quarter capping off a 3-0 run that put them in front 4-2. Kayla Rinaldi then converted from the 8-meter mark to bring the Hokies back within one. After the hosts added another, Vergano secured a first-half hat trick with a goal with only 11 seconds remaining in the half to bring Tech back within one again.
Plagued by three yellow cards in the third quarter, the Hokies allowed the Cavaliers to pull away in the third quarter, as they out-scored Tech, 6-2.
Undeterred by the nation's 11th-ranked team making a run, the Hokies responded with back-to-back goals to start the half from Rishko and Vergano. Tech's momentum was taken, however, when Virginia scored two goals then Paige Tyson was denied a goal on a free-position shot that she scored, but a clock malfunction resulted in a retake. Tyson was able to get a consolation with 1:49 in the game, however the Hokies fell, 15-10.
The loss gives the Cavaliers one point in the Commonwealth Clash, presented by Smithfield. The score for the Commonwealth Clash currently is 10-8 in favor of Virginia. For more information, http://vthoki.es/Smithfield.
The Hokies will shift their focus to the 2023 ACC Women's Lacrosse Championship, presented by Ally, in which they will be a No. 7 seed matched up against No. 10 Pitt on Sunday. Ticket information will be released on Friday.