clemson advances with win over virginia tech

Nick Cheshire

November 16, 2020

Virginia Tech striker Kristo Strickler hits a shot in the ACC Tournament against Clemson on Nov. 15, 2020. The Hokies fell 4-1 to the Tigers in the first round. (Virginia Tech athletics)

DURHAM, N.C. – In a Sunday afternoon quarterfinal, the No. 4 Clemson Tigers beat the No. 5 Virginia Tech Hokies 4-1 to advance to the ACC Tournament semifinals.

The Hokies looked to set the tone early, notching four shots in the first 15 minutes of play, but it was the Tigers who struck first, with a goal from senior forward Kimarni Smith in the 16th minute.

The teams exchanged shots until Smith found the back of the net again in the 31st minute and again in the 34th minute. Clemson took a commanding 3-0 lead into the break behind Smith’s early hat trick, despite being outshot 9-5.

After a flurry of corner kicks to begin the second half of play, the Tigers added another goal on a shot from James Brighton in the 56th minute.

The Hokies responded with five straight shots, with the fifth from senior captain Kristo Strickler finally finding its way past Clemson goalkeeper George Marks, cutting the lead to 4-1. The Hokies fell even after outshooting the Tigers 18-8 over the course of the match.

Clemson’s Kamarni Smith had a record-setting day, not only becoming the second player in ACC Tournament history to record a hat trick during the tournament, but with his assist in the second half, he became the first player ever to record seven points in an ACC Tournament match.