Tech falls, 2-1, to Virginia in Commonwealth Clash

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia Tech fell to Virginia, 2-1, on Friday evening at Klockner Stadium.

Nineteenth-ranked Tech wasn’t short for chances, as it out-shot the hosts, 25-8. However, the Cavaliers built a 2-0 lead by the 55^th minute, which provided enough cover to outlast the Hokies.

Yonis Kireh brought it back within one in the 80^th minute, as he headed home a free-kick delivered by Alex Perez. As they had for the majority of the match, the Hokies pressured the Cavaliers in the closing minutes, but were unable to find an equalizer.

Virginia Tech was dealt an early blow when steady presence Trey Gardiner went down with an injury in the 20^th minute, but Kireh stepped in to see out the final 70 minutes and landed himself on the scoresheet.

It was a free-kick in the 42^nd minute that gave Virginia its lead after Daniel Mangarov’s strike took a deflection from the Hokies’ wall. The shot was only the second Virginia placed on frame all night – and one of four total.

Tech went into the break with 13 attempts, including five on target, despite being held goalless.

In the second half, the Hokies’ wind was briefly taken out of their sails when Virginia found another less than 10 minutes in the second half.

Virginia Tech continued to move forward, however, working the ball up the sides of the pitch with the help of fullbacks Noe Uwimana and Willie Cardona.

Breakthrough finally came for Tech in the 80^th minute when Perez whipped in a free-kick that met the head of Kireh darting towards the back post, putting pressure on Virginia to see the game out.

The hosts were able to do so, which delivered Virginia Tech its third conference loss of the season.

Tech will have a week off before it welcomes NC State to Thompson Field for Senior Night at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11.  

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With the Cavaliers defeating the Hokies, Virginia receives one point in the Commonwealth Clash, presented by Smithfield. The score for the Commonwealth Clash currently is 1.0.-0.0 in favor of Virginia. For more information, visit https://hokiesports.com/commonwealth-clash.