League Rivals Georgia, Clemson to Meet in WCLA Division I Championship

NAPLES, Fla. — Everyone likes a second chance, and Georgia took full advantage of its opportunity on Thursday at the USA Lacrosse WCLA championship tournament.

Having lost to Michigan earlier this season, the Bulldogs exacted some revenge with a 14-10 victory over the Wolverines in the first of two semifinal games Thursday at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex, an event matching the top college club teams from around the country.

Georgia now faces another rematch against its league rival Clemson, which defeated Virginia Tech, 8-7, in the second semifinal.

The two Southeastern Women's Lacrosse League (SWLL) foes will meet for the third time this season in the championship game, Friday at 5 p.m.

Georgia used a strong second half surge to break away from Michigan in the first semifinal. With the score tied for the sixth time at 7-7 late in the third quarter, the Bulldogs launched a 5-1 run that finally provided some distance.

Junior Jackson McDaniel quarterbacked the UGA offense for much of the afternoon, facilitating opportunities for teammates with four assists while also adding two goals.

“I love playing from behind the goal because my entire job is to see the field and see who is open,” said McDaniel, who was recognized as the USA Lacrosse Player of the Game. “We have really good chemistry, so I kind of know what they are doing. We all mesh very well together.”

After losing by seven to the Wolverines back in February, the Bulldogs executed their offense much more efficiently in Thursday’s rematch. Attacker Meg Heflin finished with a team-high three goals, including two on feeds from McDaniel, while Mia Pisani, Emma Dean, and Annie Ritter added two each in a balanced attack.

Georgia (13-6) returns to the championship game for the first time since back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2022 and 2023. The Bulldogs won their only title in 2016.

In the second game, Clemson and Virginia Tech played a tight, closely contested game in which goals were difficult to come by for most of the match. Trailing by one goal early in the third quarter, three Tech goals in just over a minute pushed the Hokies ahead 5-3.

But Virginia Tech then endured an 18-minute scoring drought while Clemson rallied to pull ahead, building an 8-5 advantage in the fourth quarter as Audrey Mirak helped fuel the comeback with two goals .

Two late Tech goals pulled the Hokies back to within one, but a final Hokies shot to potentially tie the score sailed wide with six seconds left.

“It can be hard to play in these types of games where every goal is so critical, but our hustle can make a difference and we feel like that effort helps us in tight games,” said midfielder Nini Clarke, who scored two goals for Clemson and was recognized as the USA Lacrosse Player of the Game.

Making their fourth tournament appearance in the last five years, the Tigers (12-2) will be playing in their first championship game.

WCLA Division I Semifinal Score No. 8 Georgia def. No. 5 Michigan, 14-10 No. 6 Clemson def. No. 7 Virginia Tech, 8-7