Hokie ClubJOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Virginia Tech men’s soccer team lost to 22nd-ranked East Tennessee State, 1-0, tonight in a non-conference game at Summers-Taylor Stadium. East Tennessee State’s David Geno scored the game’s lone goal in the 77th minute.
In the first half Tech (3-4-0) came out on the offensive, outshooting ETSU, 3-1, in the first 17 minutes. As the half progressed, the Bucs also created chances as Tech sophomore goalkeeper Kyle Renfro made three saves in the period to keep the game scoreless going into halftime.
In the 36th minute, freshman midfielder Ben Strong registered a shot on frame for Tech which was saved by ETSU goalkeeper Ryan Coulter. For the half, the Bucs outshot Tech, 7-5, and outcornered the Hokies, 5-1.
Early in the second period, both teams were able to force saves out of the opposing goalkeeper as Renfro stopped Theo Yang’s effort in the 52nd minute and sophomore midfielder David Clemens had his shot in the 61st minute saved by Coulter.
The Bucs (6-1-0), who are ranked 22nd in this week’s Soccer America national poll and are receiving votes in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) national poll, got the game-winner at the 76:12 mark when Geno finished off a Frank Doumbe cross from close range.
Like in the first half, East Tennessee State held a 7-5 advantage in shots, but Virginia Tech had six second-half corners to just two for ETSU, evening the corner kick total at seven each on the night. Clemens lead the Tech offense with three shots while Strong and junior midfielder Robert Alberti each had two.
Renfro played all 90 minutes between the pipes for Tech and registered four saves, giving him 33 on the season.
The Hokies return to action on Saturday night as they host top-ranked Maryland at 7 p.m. at Thompson Field in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The game will mark the second time in as many weeks that the Hokies will host the nation’s number one ranked team. On Sept. 10, Tech defeated then-No.1 North Carolina, 1-0 in double overtime, in its ACC opener.