Hokie ClubClemson defeated Duke, 1-0, on Saturday night to finish the ACC season with 11 points. Tech currently has eight points and with a win over Boston College would also have 11. However, the No. 25 Tigers (9-4-5, 2-3-5 ACC) have the tiebreaker due to rules explained in an earlier post, so no matter what, they are going to the ACC Tournament.
Regardless of the outcome in tomorrow's game, the Hokies have set the record for the most points by a team to not earn a berth to the ACC Tournament in its current eight-team format that began in 2005 with the arrival of Boston College. NC State and Miami had the previous record of six points in 2005.
Despite the news, the Hokies (7-7-3, 2-5-2 ACC) will have much to play for on Sunday as they will have the opportunity to finish the season with a winning record for the first time since 2004 and remain eligible for a NCAA Tournament at-large berth. Also, they have the opportunity to upset the highest ranked opponent in program history against No. 10 Boston College.
Finally, seniors Heather Hallberg, Ashley Kinser, Erin Moore, Mary Elizabeth Newton and Gina Om will beplaying in their final home game at the Virginia Tech Soccer Stadium. All fiveof these players have been in Blacksburgsince Tech’s first year in the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2004 and havehelped turn the team into a competitive program, both regionally andnationally. They led the program to its first ever NCAA Tournament trip in 2004and its only two victories and three ties against top-25 programs.
Furthermore, with tomorrow’s game, the seniors have anopportunity to finish with another winning season after helping Tech recordits first-ever winning season in 2004 with a school record 11 wins. In 2005,they helped set a program record by shutting out eight opponents.
The first 100 fans through the gates will receive a free Virginia Tech visor as part of the Senior Day celebration.