CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – No. 9 Clemson rallied late to defeat No. 21 Virginia, 12-10, Saturday at Klöckner Stadium. The loss dropped the Cavaliers to 5-5 overall and 3-2 in the ACC, while Clemson improved to 5-4 and 2-3 in conference play.
Virginia led 9-8 with 11:47 remaining, but Clemson answered with four consecutive goals to seize a 12-9 advantage with just under three minutes to play. Freshman Cady Flaherty cut the deficit to 12-10 with 2:39 left, but Clemson secured the following draw and, after a late Virginia turnover inside the final minute, held on for the win.
Junior midfielder Kate Galica paced the Cavaliers with three goals and an assist. Junior attacker Madison Alaimo contributed four assists. Galica was the only Virginia player with multiple goals in the contest.
Clemson opened the scoring and led 2-1 early. Virginia responded with a five-goal run to build a 6-2 edge with 10:16 left in the first half. The Tigers struck back with consecutive goals, and Galica’s score halted that surge. Clemson added two late first-half goals in the final 1:11 to cut the halftime margin to 7-6 in favor of Virginia.
The second half featured multiple lead changes and three ties.
Clemson’s goal with 7:59 remaining in the fourth quarter marked the Tigers’ first lead since the opening minutes of the game.
On the postgame podium, head coach Sonia LaMonica stressed the need for consistency across four quarters. She noted the higher-pressure defense Clemson employed and said Virginia struggled with its stick work and lost momentum late.
Virginia scoring — Goals: Kate Galica 3; Jayden Piraino 1; Jenna Dinardo 1; Cady Flaherty 1; Raleigh Foster 1; Megan Rocklein 1; Livy Laverghetta 1; Gabby Laverghetta 1. Assists: Madison Alaimo 4; Jayden Piraino 1; Jenna Dinardo 1; Kate Galica 1.
Clemson scoring — Goals: Emma Penczek 3; Aubrie Eisfeld 2; Alexa Spallina 1; Jasmine Stanton 1; Brooke Goldstein 1; Regan Byrne 1; Kayla Macleod 1; Natalie Shurtleff 1; Mikaela Mooney 1. Assists: Alexa Spallina 2; Emma Penczek 1; Brooke Goldstein 1; Kayla Macleod 1; Natalie Shurtleff 1.
Notes: Megan Rocklein recorded her first career goal. Eight different Cavaliers found the net. Clemson held a 25-19 advantage in shots, while Virginia led 12-11 in draw controls. Each team made five saves.
Up next: Virginia returns home to host No. 14 Syracuse on Saturday, March 21, at 2 p.m. at Scott Stadium. The women’s game will follow the men’s matchup (11 a.m. vs. Utah) as a doubleheader; one ticket admits entry to both contests. All seats will be general admission, gates open one hour before the first game, and tickets are available at VirginiaSports.com/tickets. The day will also include a celebration of the 50th anniversary of UVA’s first varsity women’s lacrosse game.
