On Sunday Virginia Tech’s men’s soccer squad traveled to Ohio to face the No. 10 Xavier Musketeers. The Hokies surprised the nationally ranked team, defeating Xavier 3-1. With the win the Hokies record improves to 2-1.
The Musketeers got out to an early lead, scoring in the first 15 minutes of the initial period. After that score Virginia Tech took over. Ricardo John scored, and then five minutes later Dylan Huber added another goal. Tech carried the lead, 2-1, into halftime. Towards the end of regulation Merlin Baus solidified VPI’s lead, and the game ended with the Hokies upsetting the Musketeers. Baus was later named the ACC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts against Xavier and Cincinnati.
VT keeper Ben Lundgaard had a solid defensive effort with only one goal scored against him and collecting three saves. The Hokies barely outshot Xavier 12-11, but the Musketeers had significantly more corner kicks with seven to VPI’s one.
The men’s squad next hosts the NSCAA No. 3 UNC Tar Heels on Friday, September 11. UNC is 3-0-1 on the season and owns the series against the Hokies 10-3-1. Virginia Tech will be seeking to avenge the 0-5 shellacking UNC provided to the Hokies last year.
The full box score for the Xavier game can be seen here.