CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A late strike from midfielder Lia Godfrey was the difference on Friday (Oct. 25) as No. 24 Virginia (11-5-0, 4-5-0 ACC) defeated Clemson (6-8-2, 2-7-0 ACC) by a score of 1-0 at Klöckner Stadium.
GOALS
86’ – UVA: Lia Godfrey (Meredith McDermott)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia looked to have taken the lead in the 72nd minute when Ella Carter volleyed an Annamarie Williams corner in from about 12 yards out. The officials went to the monitor, however, and waved the goal off, ruling that a Virginia player near the left post had obstructed the line of sight of the Clemson keeper.
The Cavaliers did break through in the 86th minute off a strike from Lia Godfrey. The Hoos got the ball into the box down the right side as Laney Rouse found Meredith McDermott on a run. McDermott picked up the ball with her back to goal and then turned to make a move in toward the center of the box before the ball was tapped out to Godfrey at the right corner. The midfielder’s left-footed strike sailed up into the upper left corner for the score.
NOTES ON THE GAME
- Godfrey’s goal was her second of the season and they came in back-to-back home games for the Hoos.
- The goal was Godfrey’s 18th career goal and seventh game-winning goal.
- With the win, UVA improved to 17-12-3 against Clemson and has won two of the last three.
- It was the first game between Clemson and Virginia played in Charlottesville since the 2017 season.
FROM HEAD COACH STEVE SWANSON
“I saw good resilience. We did enough to get the result, which was huge. Clemson was fighting for their lives and we knew that coming into the game. I’m proud of the effort in the game tonight and the preparation this week after the Florida State result. There’s a lot we can build on, and we’re not firing on all cylinders, but we got a clean sheet and the backs did a better job. There were a lot of positives, especially the win. Now we have to get ready for a tough battle with Virginia Tech down in Blacksburg.”
UP NEXT FOR THE HOOS
Virginia closes out the regular season on Halloween night with a road contest at No. 19 Virginia Tech. The Cavaliers and Hokies will square off in the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash at 8 p.m. in a match broadcast on ACC Network.