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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Following a week break, the Virginia men’s soccer team returns to ACC play at 7 p.m. Friday when it plays at Clemson at historic Riggs Field. The game will be televised by the ACC’s Regional Sports Networks (Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic in the Virginia area).

The match also will air live on Fox Sports Florida and Fox Sports South.

Virginia holds a 5-4-0 record and 1-1-0 mark in the ACC following a 3-0 loss at home to No. 4 North Carolina last Friday. The game was close throughout until UNC broke it open with a pair of goals in the final 15 minutes.

UVa controlled play early in the second half however and strung together several good scoring chances but had nothing to show for it. In the 76th minute, UVa was called for a foul in the box, and Enzo Martinez converted on the penalty kick to push the UNC lead to 2-0.

Will Bates continues to lead the Cavaliers in scoring this season with nine goals and three assists for 21 points. Bates ranks third nationally and second in the ACC with his nine goals and also stands seventh nationally in points per game (2.33).

The Clemson match marks just the second true road game for UVa this season. The Cavaliers won their ACC opener 1-0 at Duke on Sept. 9. UVa also has played three neutral-site games.

Clemson is 3-4-0 overall following back-to-back double-overtime wins, both capped by game-winning goals by freshman Bryniar Benediktsson. The Tigers notched a 2-1 double-overtime win over Presbyterian at home on Tuesday night, with Benediktsson scoring with just 10 seconds remaining in the second extra period. The Tigers are 1-2-0 in the ACC after a 2-1 double OT victory at NC State last Friday, in which Benediktsson scored 29 seconds into the second overtime.

Virginia holds a 26-21-5 advantage against Clemson in the programs’ all-time series, which dates to 1968. Each of the last four meetings has been determined by one goal, with the teams alternating wins. The Cavaliers are 6-3-1 in their last 10 matches against Clemson and have won three of their last four contests at CU.

UVa defeated Clemson 1-0 last year at Riggs Field. Ari Dimas scored an unassisted goal in the 88th minute to lift UVa to the win.

Virginia comes back home to Klöckner Stadium next Friday (Oct. 7) for an ACC matchup with second-ranked Maryland.

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