HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech men's soccer team used an offensive outburst this afternoon to dispatch St. Bonaventure 4-0 in its final game of the JMU/Fairfield Inn by Marriott Invitational Tournament at the JMU Soccer Complex.
The Hokies (3-1-0) came out shooting early and often, peppering the Bonnies' net throughout the day. Tech totaled five shots through the first 19 minutes before the game changed when Drew Hartell got free on a breakaway and was taken down by St. Bonaventure's Kolby Banker. The defender was subsequently sent off for the foul reducing the Bonnies to 10 men for the remainder of the match. The Hokies had seven more shots in the half, but were unable to find the back of the net.
Tech got on the board in the 59th minute as Daniel Lauretano took the ball off a Bonnie defender after a corner kick by Ben Strong. The freshman ripped a shot that found the back of the net for his second goal of the season.
Just over eight minutes later, David Clemens doubled the lead as he got on the end of a cross by Strong inside the six-yard box. The junior slipped the ball into the right side of the net for his second goal on the year. Hartell tallied the Hokies third goal of the game 54 seconds later when he took the ball off a Bonnie defender and scored from two yards out.
Tech netted its fourth goal of the afternoon in the 80th minute. Mike Wilkie got on the end of a corner by Strong, but his header ricocheted off of a defender and was headed in by Connor Pompilio.
In all, the Hokies outshot the Bonnies 27-10 while putting 13 more shots on target. Clemens led the team with seven shots, putting five on frame. Kyle Renfro had three saves on the day and Hunter Maricle had one as the two keepers combined for the Hokies third-straight shutout.
"I was pleased with today's result in scoring four goals, keeping a clean sheet and picking up a win away from home, but I think that are still some things that we need to work on to get where we want to be," Virginia Tech head coach Mike Brizendine said.
Next up for Virginia Tech is the ACC opener on Sept. 8 as the Hokies travel to Chapel Hill, N.C., to squre off with No. North Carolina. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., at Fetzer Field and can be seen on ESPN3.