Hokie ClubCHARLOTTE, N.C.- The Virginia Tech men’s soccer team (12-4-4) defeated the No. 10 Charlotte 49rs (12-4-2) 3-2 on Sunday afternoon to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. Two Hokies netted goals to bring Tech their 12th win of the season.
The first 20 minutes of the game played out as a back and forth battle. Charlotte got on the board from a goal by Daniel Bruce. Bruce took an initial shot pulling Virginia Tech goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard out of the box. Bruce was able to regroup and find the rebound. Charlotte was able to hold possession for the remainder of the half, taking six shots.
The Hokies came out strong in the beginning of the second half, seeing a great chance by Gino Rossi four minutes in. Tech drew a penalty kick in the 50th minute off a 49er hand ball in the box. Marcelo Acuna netted his tenth goal of the season and equalized the score at 1-1. Acuna struck again 10 minutes later off an assist from Brendan Moyers inside the box. UNC Charlotte answered with the equalizer with seven minutes left in the game. Brandt Bronico was able to net another goal for the 49ers off an assist from Bruce. The freshman Nico Quashie came off of the bench with five minutes left in the game and three minutes later netted the Hokies’ third goal of the night off a breakaway run to win it.
Virginia Tech will travel to No. 7 Indiana Nov. 27 for the Sweet Sixteen matchup of the 2016 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament. Kickoff is set for noon.
Head Coach Mike Brizendine
“I am very happy for this team for fighting back against a very good Charlotte team and getting a win. We knew that we did not play all that well in the first half. Anytime we go away from what we are good at, we don’t do very well. At halftime, I reminded the guys what we have done well this season. They got the energy they needed and we got those two goals.”
-“We were under pressure when they got that equalizer but we were able to regroup because we knew we can win games.”
-“Now we have a couple of days to rest and recover to get ready for Indiana.”
Notes
-Away record: 4-3-2
-Halftime shots: UNCC 6-4
-Final shots: UNCC 14-10
-Charlotte was previously unbeaten at home (7-0-1)
-2016 record vs Charlotte: 1-0-1
-Elliot Panicco has only let in 9 goals all season prior to this game