In a thrilling Commonwealth Clash to close the regular season, the No. 21 Virginia Cavaliers women's lacrosse team edged out rival Virginia Tech 13-10 in a back-and-forth battle at Thompson Field. The victory not only secured bragging rights but also solidified UVA's momentum heading into the postseason.

The game was a true testament to resilience, tied 10-10 entering the decisive fourth quarter. UVA's freshmen and veterans rose to the occasion, with freshman Megan Rocklein netting the game-winner just two minutes into the period. Sophomore Livy LaVerghetta and junior Kate Galica added crucial insurance goals to seal the hard-fought win for the Cavaliers.

Kate Galica was the offensive powerhouse for Virginia, leading all scorers with a remarkable five goals—a performance that included the 100th goal of her collegiate career. Her early dominance, with three first-quarter goals, set the tone. Playmaker Madison Alaimo orchestrated the attack with a game-high five assists, showcasing the team's dynamic offensive chemistry.

Virginia Tech fought valiantly on their home field, erasing deficits and even taking a 10-9 lead late in the third quarter. However, a clutch goal from UVA's Gabby LaVerghetta with just over a minute left in the quarter tied the game and shifted the momentum for good, setting the stage for Virginia's fourth-quarter heroics.

With the regular season concluded, the paths for these rivals diverge. The Hokies' season comes to a close, while the Cavaliers, finishing tied for fifth in the powerhouse ACC, have earned the No. 5 seed in the upcoming ACC Championships. By virtue of their regular-season wins over Boston College and Notre Dame, UVA will face a formidable challenge against the 4th-seeded Syracuse Orange next Wednesday in Charlotte. This win provides a massive boost of confidence as they head into single-elimination tournament play, where every possession counts.