No. 16 Virginia wins 18-11 at Virginia Tech in Smithfield Commonwealth Clash

Senior Ashlyn McGovern scored six goals to lead the No. 16 Virginia women’s lacrosse team (8-8, 3-5 ACC) to an 18-11 win over Virginia Tech (9-8, 2-6 ACC) in the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash on Thursday night in Blacksburg.

McGovern was one of five Cavaliers with multiple goals in the win. UVA outscored Virginia Tech in all four quarters and led 21-11 in draw controls. Freshman Rachel Clark and sophomore Mackenzie Hoeg both had three goals and one assist on the night.

UVA led in shots (31-24), saves (6-4), draw controls and ground balls (9-8). Both teams finished with six caused turnovers. UVA also had a 6-4 edge in free position goals. Whitney Leibler led VT with six points (3 goals, 3 assists).

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Sophomore Morgan Schwab put UVA on the board first on a free position opportunity two minutes into the contest.
• Virginia Tech took a 2-1 lead over the next seven minutes.
• The Cavaliers regained the lead with a 3-0 run that included two goals from McGovern and one by Clark.
• UVA led 4-3 at the end of the first 15 minutes.
• Junior Jaime Biskup scored to open the second quarter.
• Virginia had another 3-0 run, with two more goals from McGovern and one by freshman Kate Miller, to go ahead 8-5.
• UVA took a 9-6 lead into the half as Hoeg scored in the final eight seconds of the first half.
• The Cavaliers stretched their lead in the third period, outscoring the Hokies 4-2. UVA scored back-to-back goals in less than a minute twice in the third quarter.
• Miller and senior Braeden Dial scored two straight goals for the Cavaliers to open the fourth quarter.
• Virginia held Virginia Tech scoreless for 13 minutes in the second half.