NO. 13 VIRGINIA TECH COMES UP SHORT IN DOUBLE OVERTIME, FALLING 1-0 TO NO. 1 CLEMSON

Patrick Campbell

March 14, 2021

BLACKSBURG, Va. — No. 13 Virginia Tech seemed poised to break the stalemate in the 57th minute. Midfielder Mayola Kinyua placed a through ball on the foot of forward Jacob Labovtiz, who wrapped a cross past the keeper for an empty net opportunity, but there was no one there. The play seemed to summarize the night for the Hokies (4-4-2, 3-3-2 ACC), who were unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

No. 1 Clemson (10-2-1, 5-2-1 ACC) started the match almost the same way as the last time these two teams met. The Tigers were able to get a winding through ball into the box that was placed by forward James Brighton past the keeper, but it was stopped by the right post in the fourth minute.

Matt Zambetti got the start for Tech in goal and made his presence felt early. In the 11th minute, forward Isaiah Reed placed a header on goal followed by a diving Zambetti save to punch the ball over the crossbar. Tech and Clemson traded blows in the first half with neither finding the back of the net.

The Tigers found themselves on their heels for a majority of the second half. Khalil Dover glided into the box and tried to put a cross into play, but it was snuffed out by Clemson keeper George Marks in the 77th minute.

The tension began to build as the match dragged on at Thompson Field, with four yellow cards dealt out in the second half. The match felt like a tournament game with a raucous crowd trying to lift the Hokies to their first win against a No. 1 team since 2017.

The two top ten foes spent the first overtime period feeling eachother out. The only shot on goal came from outside the box by Hokie forward Nick Blacklock that was saved effortlessly by Clemson’s Marks.

The Hokies dropped back defensively, trying to hang on in the final overtime period. Tech appeared to have a draw in sight with just a little over three minutes to go. However, in the 107th minute, a Tigers’ cross found the head of defender Charlie Ascenco that Zambetti saved into the crossbar but was booted home by defender Justin Malou from a yard out.

Virginia Tech will try to break its first losing streak since 2019 on the road against Virginia at 2 p.m. on Friday. The Hokies beat the Cavaliers for the first time in 15 years in Charlottesville 1-0 during the fall season. Clemson will return to action Saturday at home against NC State at 7 p.m.