From Virginia Cavaliers On SI · · 2m
Virginia Women's Soccer Ekes Out Draw with Clemson
Virginia women's soccer team secures a narrow 1-1 draw with Clemson after a dramatic second-half comeback.
In brief
Virginia women's soccer team secures a narrow 1-1 draw with Clemson after a dramatic second-half comeback. Virginia women's soccer team earns a 1-1 draw with Clemson in a game where they scored with 33 seconds left after a strong second-half performance. Originally reported by Virginia Cavaliers On SI.
Virginia needed this game
Virginia needed this win to improve their ACC standings as of 10/23/2026.
ACC standings update
Duke has one game in hand over Virginia, while Notre Dame, Stanford, and Louisville have two games in hand, and Florida State has three games in hand.
Slow start
Virginia started the game as lackluster as they had been against Tech, UNC, and most of the ACC, keeping them out of the ACC tournament.
Steve Swanson's method
Steve Swanson plays wide and controls the midfield and pace of the game deliberately, a philosophy similar to Tony Bennett's but with more experience.
Virginia's decline
Virginia is becoming more toothless each year, struggling against high press and allowing unending passes between their back line.
Clemson's defense
Clemson executed a masterclass in 1st-Defender/2nd-Defender defense, dispossessing Virginia's top ball carriers multiple times.
Clemson's first goal
Clemson scored a 1-0 lead in the first half's last minute after a sequence of dispossessions by hard tackles.
Virginia's weakness
Virginia cannot score because Aniyah Collier lacks touch and Gio Canali lacks speed to make the run.
Second half shift
Virginia played with urgency after Clemson's goal, while Clemson ramped up physicality without thuggishness.
Carrie Helfrich stars
Carrie Helfrich delivered multiple crosses, including one that Rademaker headed inches wide and another that led to Halpern's strike.
Sarah Flammia's impact
Sarah Flammia, a more dangerous offensive player than Jordyn Hardeman, became Virginia's starter with better touch and tight space control.
Final goal
Virginia scored with 33 seconds remaining on a cross from Carrie Helfrich to Addison Halpern for a 1-1 draw.
Next up
Virginia has a week off before hosting Louisville on October 29th at 6:00pm via ACC Network.
At a glance
Virginia women's soccer team earns a 1-1 draw with Clemson in a game where they scored with 33 seconds left after a strong second-half performance.
