Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech men's soccer team played to a 1-1 tie against VCU in their final exhibition match before the 2008 season begins. Sophomore Terry Boland scored his first goal of the preseason, and junior goalkeeper Brendan Dunn made two saves in the contest.
Prior to the match, the Virginia Tech Athletics department announced that the former Tech Soccer Stadium will now be known as the Sandra D. Thompson Field. In 2003, the press box in the stadium was dedicated in her memory.
At the end of the first half, the teams played to a scoreless 0-0 tie. Junior Craig Brutus, in the 34th minute, and classmate James Gilson, in the 36th minute, each made two key saves to keep the Rams off the scoreboard. VCU outshot the Hokies 7-5 in the half, but Tech held a 3-0 advantage in corner kicks.
VCU posted the first goal of the match when Otavio De Luca scored on a free kick, giving the Rams a 1-0 lead. Tech, in the 73rd minute, netted the equalizer, when Boland stole a loose ball in the box and put a shot in the back of the net.
Tech was rewarded four corners to the Ram's one in the game, while VCU held an 11-9 advantage in the shots category for the game.
Tech will be on the road for their first match of the regular season against Portland on August 29 at 10 p.m. in Portland, Ore. The match is one of two contests the Hokies will play at the Pilots Nike Invitational.