Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG- The No. 15 Virginia Tech men’s soccer team opens ACC play on Friday as they travel to No. 1 Notre Dame. The Hokies and the Fighting Irish kickoff at 7 p.m. in Notre Dame, Ind. at Alumni Stadium.
The Hokies have started their season 4-0-0 with three shutouts, two upsets and only conceded one goal. Virginia Tech most recently shutout then No. 24 Georgetown 1-0 in Washington D.C. Collin Verfurth had the difference maker against the Hoyas for his first goal of the season.
Sophomore transfer Marcelo Acuna leads the team in goals (4g) and points (8p). Acuna is currently seventh in the nation in goals scored. Junior goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard has had three shutouts for far this season lifting him to fourth in the Virginia Tech men’s soccer career shutout ranks.
Head Coach Mike Brizendine is 2-0-0 against ranked opponents on the road this season as him and his team travel to the number one seed Notre Dame.
Scouting Notre Dame
Notre Dame is off to a 4-0-0 start to their season as well with wins over California, Stanford, New Mexico and UC Irvine. The Fighting Irish have three shutouts on their record as well as only conceding one goal against the reining National Champions.
The Fighting Irish most recently downed Cal 5-0 and Stanford 1-0 in double overtime at the Indiana University Credit Union Classic.
ND is now ranked No. 1 for the seventh time in four years. Junior Jon Gallagher is their player to watch having scored four goals and three assists for the Gold & Blue.
The Last Meeting
In 2015, the No. 7 Fighting Irish traveled to Blacksburg where the teams tied 0-0 in double overtime. All-time the teams are 0-1-5 with ND taking the edge. The Hokies look to get their first win against the Fighting Irish.