In a battle of top ten teams, the No. 9 Virginia Tech women’s soccer team’s undefeated run ended Saturday night when No. 3 UNC defeated the Hokies in front of a home crowd, 1-2. With the win, the Tar Heels grew their dominant lead, in the series against VPI, 12-2. The last time VT defeated UNC was back in 2011. The Heels have now beaten the Hokies four times in a row. Virginia Tech falls to 8-1-1 on the season, and UNC improves to 8-0-1.
UNC hit first with a goal 20 minutes into the first period. The Hokies were unable to muster a score and went into the half losing 0-1. Murielle Tiernan got the Hokies on the board early in the second half to tie the game. With that score Tiernan is now Virginia Tech’s all-time career points leader with 77. Earlier this year she became VPI’s all-time career goal leader. UNC wasted little time and answered with their second goal during minute 61 of play, taking the lead 2-1. Virginia Tech had several opportunities to tie the game, but failed to take advantage before the end of regulation.
VT’s offense normally dominates shots, but this time UNC outshot the Hokies 9-6. The Tar Heels also controlled the game’s corner kicks with five, while the Hokies only had two. Both squads had four shots on goal, but UNC keepers, Bryane Heaberlin and Lindsey Harris, were able to save three, while VT’s Kaylyn Smith was only able to stop two.
On Thursday, September 24, the Fighting Gobblers will travel to NC State and face the Wolfpack in another conference game. Virginia Tech leads the series against NC State 8-4, and has won seven in a row against them. NC State is 4-5, and plays Pittsburg on 20 September, before hosting the Hokies.
View the full UNC box score here.