In the middle of November the Virginia Tech Men’s soccer team received an at large bid to the NCAA Championship Tournament. This invitation is the first time the Hokies have made the tournament since 2007, and marks their fifth appearance. During the 2007 effort the Hokies made it all the way to the College Cup (final four teams), where they lost to eventual national champion, Wake Forest, 0-2.
To kick things off (ha!) Virginia Tech hosted the East Tennessee State Buccaneers at Thompson Field, in Blacksburg. The Hokies set a new program record for shut outs, in a season, when they blanked the Bucs, 1-0. It was VT’s ninth shutout of the year, and head coach, Mike Brizendine’s, first post season win with the Hokies.
During the second round of play the Hokies traveled to North Carolina for a rematch against the No. 10 Charlotte 49ers. When the two teams met earlier, in mid-October, they played to a stalemate, tying 0-0 in 2OT. This time the match-up was much more offensively minded, and the Hokies upset the 49ers, 3-2, in regulation, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen!
Yesterday, the Fighting Gobblers faced off against the No. 7 Indiana Hoosiers, at Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington, IN. Hokie keeper, Ben Lundgaard, played like a champion, defending nine shots on goal. Only one escaped him, which allowed the Hoosiers to tie the match, 1-1, forcing overtime. The Hokies stunned Indiana and qualified for the Elite Eight when substitute, Forest White, scored seven minutes into overtime.
Here's how @VT_MSoccer upset Indiana in extra time #hokies https://t.co/y3kolCEqDj
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) November 27, 2016
Virginia Tech now boasts a 13-4-4 overall record. This Saturday the Hokies will travel to Winston-Salem and face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, the team that removed VPI from NCAA tournament play in 2007.
Go Hokies!!!