Tigers Fight to 1-1 Draw at No. 21 Virginia
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The Clemson Tigers moved to 6-4-5 (2-3-3 ACC) after holding the No. 21 Virginia Cavaliers (8-3-3, 4-3-1 ACC) to a 1-1 draw on Thursday night in Charlottesville. Clemson’s lone goal of the night came off the foot of freshman Reagan Thompson for her third of the season.
Clemson applied consistent pressure throughout the first 45 minutes, taking six shots and allowing just four. Ella Bach looked to earn her fourth goal of the season, taking a shot that just went wide in the 25’ to keep the match tied at 0-0.
The Tigers broke open the stalemate in the 44’, after Maddie Costello knocked the ball away from UVA’s Olivia Rademaker to Taylor Leib near midfield. Leib passed the ball to Dani Davis, who kicked it up to an open Thompson at the top of the box. Thompson’s right-footed shot found the back of the net to give Clemson the 1-0 advantage just before the end of the half.
The Cavaliers found themselves with momentum early in the second half, firing off four shots before Clemson could take one in the 66’, but the Tigers’ defense held strong. Virginia had Addison Halpern take two back-to-back shots on goal in the 74’, but both were saved by Nona Reason, who ended the night with five saves.
Virginia scored the equalizer with half a minute remaining in the match as Carrie Helfrich found Halpern in the box. Halpern’s shot just got past a diving Reason to lead to the 1-1 draw.
Up Next
The Tigers head to Blacksburg, Va., to face the Virginia Tech Hokies on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 5 p.m. The match will be available to stream live on ACCNX.