Clemson Edges No. 11 Virginia, 1-0

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CHARLOTTESVILLE – Clemson scored the game’s only goal in the 41st minute to edge No. 11 Virginia, 1-0, on a rainy Saturday night at Klöckner Stadium.

“The conditions were difficult,” Virginia head coach George Gelnovatch said. “The game was going to be about one restart in the box and Clemson took advantage of its one really good opportunity. We didn’t.”

With a steady rain falling, the score remained tied at 0-0 for most of the first half. In the 41st minute, Virginia was whistled for a foul inside midfield and Clemson midfielder Connor Barbaree stepped up to serve the dead ball into the penalty box.

The service was headed by Mike Mattson, who directed the ball past the outstretched arms of UVa goalkeeper Diego Restrepo (West Palm Beach, Va.) and into the lower left corner of the goal. It was Mattson’s second goal of the year, and Barbaree’s first assist.

In the second half, Virginia had several scoring opportunities but could not convert. Tony Tchani (Norfolk, Va.) had a chance on a free kick in the 85th minute, sending his shot through a cluster of players gathered in the penalty box, but the shot was saved by Clemson goalkeeper Joseph Bendik.

Bendik came up with another save in the 87th minute, this time on a shot by Jimmy Simpson (Warrenton, Va.). Chris Agorsor (Severn, Md.), who earned his second-consecutive start at forward, had several good opportunities and touches but was held scoreless.

Restrepo finished with two saves for Virginia, while Bendik registered three for the shutout.

The Cavaliers out-shot Clemson, 16-7, and held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.

With the win, Clemson improved to 1-5-1 overall, 1-2 in the ACC, while Virginia’s record dropped to 5-2, 1-2 in the league.

Up next, Virginia continues its homestand when it hosts VCU at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29.