Through two games, WVU Women’s Soccer has yet to allow a goal this season.

A 2-0 home opener victory over Delaware followed by a 5-0 beatdown of Radford on Sunday have set the stage for a strong campaign for head coach Nikki Izzo-Brown’s Mountaineers, but their first real test will be on Friday against a team coming off a much stronger 2023 season.

West Virginia disappointed last season, finishing the year under .500 at 7-8-4 with a 5-3-2 conference record. The Mountaineers’ first away opponent, the Clemson Tigers, cannot say the same.

Led by senior All-Americans Makenna Morris at defender and Halle Mackiewicz at goalkeeper, the Tigers pushed for an 18-4-4 overall record marked by a 7-2-1 finish in the ACC, an ACC Championship appearance, and an NCAA Tournament Semifinal appearance. The Tigers opened their 2023 season with a tie followed by six wins.

This season, though, Clemson lacks the firepower it once had. With Mackiewicz, Morris, and several others graduated, the Tigers only return graduate student forward/midfielder Megan Bornkamp of their six All-ACC selections.

Young talent does come in ample supply at Clemson, with all three of the Tigers’ ACC All-Freshman Team selections, midfielder Dani Davis and forwards Tatum Short and Jenna Tobia, returning this season. Without veteran stars, though, Clemson is not seen as the force it once was and received just three votes in the United Soccer Coaches’ top 25 poll this week after being ranked No. 5 in the preseason poll.

Clemson stands at 1-1 in the young season after opening the year with a 4-0 away loss to Auburn and recovering with a 2-0 win at home over High Point. Auburn jumped from unranked to No. 15 in the top 25 poll after the upset victory.

As the Tigers look to build momentum and regain a reputation, West Virginia has the unique opportunity to stand in the way on Friday. Unlike Clemson, the Mountaineers have plenty of upperclassmen available, including fifth year Lilly McCarthy and junior Taylor White, who have each scored two goals already this season. It is simply a matter of whether or not their sheer experience can stand up to the Tigers’ sophomore rising stars.

The Mountaineers will look to improve its season-opening winning streak to three at 7 p.m. on Friday at Riggs Field in Clemson, S.C. The game will be available to stream with ESPN+ on ACC Network Extra.

Photo by Aaron Parker, Blue Gold Sports