Virginia Tech Soccer Weekly: The Impact of Late Goals

Both programs entered the week looking for big results. The Women’s team was undefeated, ranked 16th, and heading into Charlottesville to face top ranked UVA. The Men’s team was looking to make up for letting a lead slip away in their last match against Louisville.

If the matches had ended at the 70 minute mark, both teams would have been satisfied. Instead, we still play the full 90, and four late goals across those two matches would shift the tide. A reminder that the ACC is the toughest soccer conference in the country.

Women’s Program

• Current Record: 9-2 (1-2 in ACC)
• Last Week’s Results: The Hokies held their own on the road at the top-ranked Cavaliers, managing possession and limiting the hosts’ shots on goal. It took UVA until the 71st minute to break down Virginia Tech’s defense. But before VT could find a leveler, the Cavs struck again in the 84th minute putting the match away. A few days later, and again on the road, the Hokie defense could not find a way to slow down the Clemson attack. The Tigers scored early (8th minute), twice more in the second half, and dominated shots 26-5, including an impressive 14 shots on target. The Hokies top goal scorer this season Nicole Kozlova eventually got VT on the board, but it wasn’t to be their day - or road trip.

• Ranking: 23rd. The Hokies fell seven spots, despite losing twice since last week’s rankings. A sign of how hard the ACC is and how much regard voters have for Virginia Tech’s 9-0 run to start the year.
• ACC Standings: 7th in the ACC with 3 points. (1-2-0) What a difference a week (and having to play two top ranked teams on the road) can make. The Hokies are now six points off the top the table.
• Team Leaders: Goals - Nicole Kozlova (5) & Emily Gray (4); Assists - Emmalee McCarter (4) & Molly Feighan (3); Shutouts - Mandy McGlynn (7).
• Upcoming Matches This Week: Sunday (10/6) hosting Duke at Thompson Field. The match will be at 2 pm ET and air on the ACC Network. The Blue Devils are currently just above the Hokies in the ACC standings, and are coming off a 0-0 draw against UVA in Charlottesville.

Men’s Program

• Current Record: 5-2-1. (0-2-1 in ACC)
• Last Week’s Results: Virginia Tech hosted Boston College early on Friday afternoon ahead of the Duke football game. The Hokies took an early lead from Daniel Pereira’s second of the season, assisted by Kristo Strickler. Things looked even brighter when BC’s Alejandro Zimmermann was given a straight red card for a dangerous kick to the face, putting VT up a man for the last 50 minutes. BC rallied to even the match in the second half before Marc Hoppler regained the lead for VT. Looking at a home win, the Hokies just had to see out the match. Unfortunately, the Eagles were able to level the match for a second time, a man down, in the last minute of regulation. Neither team could find a winner in extra time and split the points. For BC it was a hard earned point, but the Hokies, they’ll look back at it as two points dropped.
• Ranking: 22nd. The draw at home set the Hokies back four spot in the rankings.
• ACC Standings: 5th in the Coastal Division with 1 point (0-2-1). The Hokies were just about a minute away from sticking within three points of the top of the table.

• Team Leaders: Goals - Kristo Strickler (5) & Jon Ingason (3); Assists - Nick Blacklock (4) & Kristo Strickler (3); Mathijs Swaneveld has posted one shut out so far in 2019.
• Upcoming Matches This Week: Tuesday (10/1) hosting Garner-Webb - 7 pm ET on the ACC Network. Garner-Webb is 4-3-1 on the season, having won four of their last five matches. The Hokies then hit the road to face Clemson on Saturday (10/5) - 7 pm ET on the ACC Network. The Tigers who are 8-1 overall and 2-1 in the ACC will prove a tough road test for VT.