Women’s Soccer: No. 24 Hoos get past Tigers, 1-0, on Godfrey goal

By Colin Moore
JerryRatcliffe.com correspondent

Virginia was able to break through in the closing minutes of a competitive ACC matchup against Clemson for a 1-0 victory in the home finale at Klöckner Stadium. The two teams played to each other’s levels of play, as the match was very close throughout.

The 24th-ranked Cavaliers tallied 11 shots, opposed to Clemson’s 7 in this match. The two teams were level in corner kicks (4) and saves (2), and UVA had 2 more fouls than Clemson.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

It turned out to be a scoreless opening half under the lights on Friday night. Virginia (11-5-0, 4-5-0 ACC) and Clemson (6-7-3, 2-7-0) had minimal opportunities with none of them leading to dangerous chances, as both goalies posted a save in the half.

Both teams traded possession spurts in the first 45 minutes, where it felt like both teams had segments of possession before switching over to the other team for some possession.

The Cavaliers led in shots by generating 5 in the first half. Sophia Bradley registered 2, with 1 on target, forcing the only save in the half by Clemson keeper Addy Holgorsen. The Hoos also led in corners with two to Clemson’s one.

UVA’s best opportunity came midway through the half, where Laney Rouse was able to press a Clemson player into a turnover, allowing Rouse to dribble dangerously towards the top of Clemson’s box. Rouse struck a strong shot near the top of the box that sailed just over the crossbar.

The Cavaliers had a better second half as they came out of halftime with some noticeable adjustments in the midfield and on the wings. They really focused on controlling the middle of the field as well as taking space on the wings when necessary. Ella Carter and Laughlin Ryan gave the Hoos a spark that they needed.

Virginia eventually broke through in the 85th minute with an absolute rocket from Lia Godfrey from around the PK mark. The Cavaliers had great build-up, where Rouse found Merideth McDermott on a run into the 18-yard box. McDermott was able to hold the ball up and direct it towards Godfrey, who struck a great shot with her left foot into the net past Holgorsen. It was the best opportunity in the match, and the Hoos capitalized.

GOALS
UVA: 85’ – Lia Godfrey (Meredith McDermott)

ADDITIONAL NOTES
Courtesy UVA Media Relations

• 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 contests.
• 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

The Hoos face Virginia Tech in a Commonwealth Clash matchup on Thursday in Blacksburg at 8 p.m. The match will be streamed on ACC Network.