Over the next few weeks we'll count down the Top 10 moments in Virginia Tech sports in the 2010-11 sports season. Only one moment per sport is eligible for the countdown, otherwise this would just be seven or eight football moments and then it might as well have just been the football Top 10 and done in January. And since I was too lazy to do that and there isn't anything going on during the summer we're doing this. Hope you enjoy.
No. 6 - Volleyball Makes 1st NCAA Tournament
No. 7 - Baseball's Rash Leads ACC in Homers
No. 8 - Women's Lacrosse Holds on for Upset
No. 9 - Men's Tennis Beats No. 20 Louisville
No. 10 - Softball Wins at Florida State
Virginia Tech's women's soccer team came into 2010 with high expectations. Coming off their first ever trip to the Sweet 16, the Hokies were ranked No. 15 to start the season. However, after starting the season 3-3, Tech fell out of the Top 25.
The Hokies used three consecutive home wins in their final three non-conference games to get to 6-3 before opening ACC play. The start of conference play was a disaster for the Hokies, who lost 3-0 at home to rival Virginia before losing on the road against No. 1 North Carolina.
The good thing about playing in the ACC is there is no shortage of opportunities for quality wins. Despite two losses to quality conference foes, Tech would get the chance to make up for them in its next two games at home against No. 7 Maryland and at No. 4 Boston College.
Against Maryland on Oct. 2, the Hokies shut out the Terps as goalie Dayle Colpitts made five saves for her third clean sheet of the season. It also handed Maryland its first loss of the season.
Tech managed just four shots on goal in the game, but was able to convert one into its only goal of the game. In the 52nd minute Ashley Manning deposited Kelly Conheeney lob pass into the Maryland net to give the Hokies the lead. They then held on after a flurry of Maryland shots at around the 80 minute mark to survive and collect their first ACC win.
On Oct. 9, Tech got a huge road win over No. 4 Boston College in Chestnut Hill. Again, Manning would be the hero, scoring with 17 minutes left to give the Hokies a 2-1 victory.
The Hokies went into halftime tied with BC thanks to a goal from Brittany Michels. However, BC would control the run of play for much of the second half before Michels fed Manning for the eventual game-winner, which was the Hokies' first shot on goal of the second half. BC would get three shots on goal after Manning's score, but all three were saved by Colpitts.
The wins turned out to the be the high point for the Hokies for the season. After tying Wake Forest in their next game, the Hokies endured three consecutive shutouts against Duke, Miami and Florida State. Tech finished ACC play 4-5-1 and lost to North Carolina in the first round of the ACC tournament.
Tech did qualify for its third consecutive NCAA Tournament, but fell in the first round to Dayton, 3-0.
The Hokies now enter a year of transition. Head coach Kelly Cagle resigned shortly after the season to spend time with her family and she was replaced by associate head coach Chugger Adair. Tech will also have to replace two of its best players in Marika Gray and Jennifer Harvey. It will be interesting to see if the Hokies can make it four consecutive NCAA Tournament trips.
Other Highlights from the Women's Soccer Season
- Jazmine Reeves has 2 goals and 2 assists vs. Clemson.
- Gray sets school record for points.
- Tech beats NC State 4-0.