Hokie ClubLOS ANGELES – The seventh-seeded Virginia Tech women’s soccer team defeated the second-seeded and ninth-ranked UCLA Bruins on their home field 2-1 Friday night to secure the program’s sixth appearance in the Sweet Sixteen.
Two second half goals, and a stellar defensive effort down the stretch saw the Hokies earn the win, their third over a ranked squad this season and advance into the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2018.
How it Happened
In the opening minutes of the game Tech was on the front foot early with a flurry of crosses from the left wing that were unable to find the final touch from a player in maroon. As the game settled, UCLA found themselves in possession for large stretches, resulting in a few shooting opportunities including one from a free kick in the 18th minute that goalkeeper Lauren Hargrove saved.
Around the half hour mark, Sarah Rosenbaum had a shot deflected and saved by the Bruins after Natalie Mitchell worked down the right side of the pitch and fired in a cross.
At the half, the match was tied at 0-0 as UCLA outshot the Hokies 6-1.
The second half brought immediate fireworks as Anna Weir had an opportunity at the top of the box in the 48th minute, but her right-footed shot was saved by Ryan Campbell, UCLA’s keeper.
A few minutes later, Tech found the net as Allie George sent in a ball over the top that was mishandled by the defense and put into the net by the center back who was under pressure by Weir for the opening goal, credited as an own goal.
Just two minutes later in the 54th minute, George once again played another dangerous through ball that found the feet of Natalie Mitchell, the California native who slotted home her fifth goal of the season in the bottom left corner to double the Hokies’ advantage.
UCLA forward Ayo Oke pulled one back for the Bruins in the 60th minute when her one-time finish settled in the left corner of the net.
Tech’s defense was under pressure for much of the rest of the match, but they wouldn’t falter as they saw off wave after wave of pressure, clearing the ball past midfield to regroup.
Hargrove made five saves in the match.
Game Notes
•Tech is now 15-13-1 in all-time NCAA Tournament matchups
•The Hokies are now 1-0-0 against UCLA
• Tech’s defense allowed one or fewer goals for the 17th time in 21 games this season
•For Natalie Mitchell, her goal was the fourth game winner of the season
•UCLA owned more shots (14-4) and corner kicks (10-1) than the Hokies
Up Next
Seventh-seeded Virginia Tech (13-5-3, 6-2-2 ACC) will face third-seeded Iowa (15-2-4, 8-2-1 Big Ten) on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 9 p.m. ET.
In terms of common opponents this season, Iowa and Tech each faced Northwestern on the road. The Hawkeyes earned a 2-1 victory while the Hokies dropped a 1-0 contest. Iowa has played one ACC squad this season, Wake Forest, a team they defeated 2-0 back in September.
Virginia Tech has never met Iowa on the women’s soccer field before.