Virginia tech falls at clemson in acc opener

Patrick Campbell

September 14, 2020

CLEMSON - On a rainy night at Historic Riggs Field, Clemson looked dominant in both teams’ first conference game of the season, knocking off Virginia Tech 3-0 after outshooting the Hokies 16 to nine.

Both teams had chances early on, with Clemson getting the first golden opportunity. In the 11th minute, freshman goalkeeper Alia Skinner saved a penalty kick from Tigers forward Maliah Morris to keep the score level. The Fleming Island, Florida native made seven saves throughout the match and was the main reason why the Hokies were able to maintain a shutout in the first half.

The Tigers really applied the pressure at the end of the half and almost broke the deadlock. In the 43rd minute, Clemson’s Courtney Jones booted a shot that seemed destined for the upper right corner before it was deflected over the crossbar by the outstretched hand of Skinner.

Clemson carried that momentum into the second half and utterly dominated. The Tigers kept possession in the attacking third for most of the second half, resulting in Tech mustering just two shots on goal to the Clemson's five. The Hokies' attack was just unable to keep possession in Tigers' half to create scoring chances.

Clemson's first goal came in the 55th minute on a rebound shot from Caroline Conti after Skinner made the initial save. The Hokies compounded problems twelve minutes later when Tech defender Victoria Haugen scored an own goal off of a Clemson cross after it deflected off her leg. The capper of the night was a beautiful shot from Conti in the 90th minute, as she spun around in front of goal to clip it past Skinner for her second goal of the game.

The Hokies fall to 0-2 on the season and 0-1 in ACC play with the loss. Clemson (2-0, 1-0 ACC) and Tech both return to the pitch on Sunday - the Tigers host Virginia at 3 p.m., while the Hokies play their third road game of the season at North Carolina at 11 a.m. on the ACC Network.