No. 18 Clemson to Play First Top 25 Matchup in 2024 Against No. 14 Virginia

After winning the ACC opener against Duke 20-11, the No. 18 Clemson Tigers (4-0, 1-0 ACC) return home to play their first nationally ranked opponent of the season the No. 14 Virginia Cavaliers (4-1, 0-1 ACC) on Saturday, March 2 at 1:00 p.m. Saturday’s game will mark the first ACC and top 25 matchup at the Tigers new Lacrosse Complex. The game will be streamed live on ACCNX

Clemson’s road win over Duke propelled them to rise to No. 18 in the national ILWomen/IWLCA poll and to No. 19 in the USA Lacrosse Magazine poll this week. In the ACC Opener, Clemson controlled the pace of the game as they dominated on the draw, winning 24 of the 35 draws. On offense, Emma Tilson and Claire Bockstie each scored a hat trick to lead Clemson in goals for the day.

Last week, Virginia narrowly lost 10-9 to North Carolina in overtime in their own ACC opener and then defeated Cornell 20-11 just two days later. Sonia Lamonica took over as Head Coach of the Cavaliers this season with Julie Myers retiring after being the Cavaliers Head Coach for 28 years. Coach Lamonica and the Cavaliers will be traveling to Clemson for the first time in program history, as last year's game was played in Charlottesville.

In the series' first ever match up in 2023, Clemson lost to Virginia 7-16 on a cold and rainy night in Charlottesville, Va. Despite the draw control battle being tight, with Virginia only winning three more than Clemson, the Cavaliers were able to put up more points and win the game.

Although Clemson is the underdog, the Tigers lead the Cavaliers in most statistical categories. Clemson is ranked higher in caused turnovers per game, clearing percentage, draw control percentage, free position percentage, ground balls per game, points per game, scoring defense, scoring margin, and shot percentage.