No. 18 Virginia Tops Clemson, 1-0

CHARLOTTESVILLE – Chase Neinken’s goal in the 88th minute broke a scoreless tie, and No. 18 Virginia defeated Clemson, 1-0, Friday night at Klöckner Stadium. UVa won its sixth-straight game and remained unbeaten in Atlantic Coast Conference play.

“Clemson played very direct and I think we dealt better with that in the second half,” Virginia head coach George Gelnovatch said. “We were better at possessing the ball and we were able to wear them down and eventually score.”

Virginia (8-3-0, 4-0-0 ACC) shut out its third-straight opponent and improved to 5-2 at home in front of 2,591 fans.

Neinken entered the game in the 77th minute, replacing starter Ross LaBauex. Matt Mitchell took a corner kick in the 88th minute, which Tony Tchani headed towards goal. Tchani’s header was blocked by a Clemson defender and Neinken gathered the rebound and finished to the lower left of the net for the score.

For Neinken, it was his first goal of the year and the first game-winner of his career. Tchani earned the assist, his third of the year.

Michael Giallombardo had another solid night in goal for the Cavaliers. He recorded his fifth shutout in his sixth-straight start and tallied a save.

UVa is off to its best start in conference play since the 2005 season, when it also began at 4-0.

After a scoreless first half, the Cavaliers got their offense going in the second period and eventually out-shot the Tigers, 15-2. The Cavaliers held a slim 4-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Nick Burton and Nathan Thornton had shots for Clemson (3-5-2, 2-2-1 ACC), while goalkeeper Joe Bendik had five saves.

Up next for Virginia is a road ACC contest at Boston College on Friday, Oct. 17. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.