Clemson Defeats Virginia Tech 2-1

Nov. 3, 2011

BLACKSBURG, VA – Austin Savage scored one goal and assisted on the other in leading Clemson to a 2-1 victory over Virginia Tech in an Atlantic Coast Conference men’s soccer match at Blacksburg, VA Thursday night.

With the win, the Tigers are now 8-8-1 overall and 4-4-1 in the ACC. The Tigers have now completed the regular season and will play in the ACC Tournament next week. In the last five matches, Clemson is 4-0-1. Virginia Tech drops to 4-12-1 overall, and 1-6-1 in league play.

The eight wins are the most for the Tigers in a single season since 2006. That year, the Tigers won 13 and advanced to the NCAA’s Final Four. The four ACC victories are the most conference victories since the 2001 season. It is also the first .500 season for league victories since 2006, when that team had a 3-3-2 record in ACC action.

Clemson scored early in the match during the seventh minute of play. Brynjar Benediktsson sent a free kick in the box. Austin Savage headed the ball to Bacro-Duverger who fired the ball in the netting for his first goal of the season.

The Tigers went up 2-0 late in the match at the 84:14 mark. Austin Savage scored his sixth goal of the season when he sent a 30-yard shot from the middle of the field. Iain Smith was credited with the assist.

Virginia Tech scored 2:21 second later, with only 3:25 left to go in regulation. Kevin Reitzel scored off a deflection in the middle for his first goal of the year.

“We played exceptionally well in the first half,” said Clemson Head Coach Mike Noonan. “It’s unfortunate that we only scored one goal. They made it more difficult in the second half, and we defended well. Austin Savage scored one of the most beautiful goals you are going to see in college soccer. They scored late, and we held on to win. I am very proud of this team.”

Clemson 2, Virginia Tech 1

Clemson – Bastien Bacro-Duverger (Austin Savage, Brynjar Benediktsson) 6:45 Clemson – Austin Savage (Iain Smith) 84:14 Virginia Tech – Kevin Reitzel (Unassisted) 86:35 Shots: Clemson 15, Virginia Tech 11 Corner Kicks: Clemson 9, Virginia Tech 3 Saves: Cody Mizell (CU) 2, Kyle Renfro (VT) 8 Fouls: Clemson 9, Virginia Tech 10 Attendance: 436