Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG- The No. 18 Virginia Tech men’s soccer team (8-2-1) downed Virginia Military Institute (0-9) 7-1 Tuesday night at Thompson Field. The Hokies won in the first half advancing to 8-2-1 on the season and 7-0 against non-conference opponents.
Tech got points on the board early as Marcelo Acuna scored his sixth goal of the season in the tenth minute. VMI quickly answered in the 12th minute with a goal from Sohrad Shaikh to even the score. The Hokies peppered shots back and found the back of the net as Acuna got his second of the game off an assist from Gino Rossi. Acuna got his first hat trick as a Hokie with his third goal of the game in the 26th minute. Alessandro Mion joined in and got his second goal of the season off a corner kick taken by Forrest White. James Kasak saw his first collegiate goal in the 45th minute.
The Hokies rotated people through the second half as the pace of the game slowed down. VMI continued to fight but the Hokies’ midfield and back end were ready for it Tuesday night. Drew Ott capped off the night with a goal in the 85th minute and then again in the 87th minute.
The Hokies will be back on Thompson Field Friday when they host Duke for an ACC clash. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Head Coach Mike Brizendine Quotes
-“I thought that we had a good start and had a good first goal. We had momentum moving forward. I am disappointed that we gave up one goal. I think the guys took a break and VMI capitalized on it.”
-“After allowing that goal, I think the team regained their composure and scored some good goals from that. We enjoy the win tonight and then it’s all focus on Duke.”
Notes
-Most goals scored in a first half and game this season
-Kasak’s first collegiate goal
-First hat trick of the season, last one was by Robert Alberti at Howard in 2010
-Shots at halftime: VT 15-2
-Shots at the end: VT 22-4
-Record when leading at halftime: 4-0
-Record at home: 4-1
-Record when allowing 0-1 goals: 7-0-1
-VT has scored 6 goals in the first half this whole season before VMI