Hokie ClubDURHAM, N.C. – A day after playing a marathon five-hour game in the rain, Virginia Tech fell 14-8 to North Carolina in Friday's ACC Semifinal. The result moves the Hokies to 13-6 on the season.
"I think us playing until 12:52 a.m. yesterday, we were just mentally and physically drained," head coach John Sung said in a postgame interview.
"Obviously Carolina is world-class and this is just my second year here so I'm trying to figure out how to keep building this program. Their goalie played out of her mind and it's a great learning experience for our team because we've never been here and hopefully we'll get that call on May 6th. I think our resume speaks for itself finishing where we did in the ACC and beating some of the blue bloods in our conference."
Kristen Kohles, a defender scored her first career goal on her first ever shot Friday, a man-down goal that brought the Hokies to within six goals with 14:47 to go.
Meagh Graham made 13 saves and came up with five ground balls on the night.
Tristan McGinley led Tech in scoring, tallying two in the game while Paige Petty, Marissa Davey, Mary Claire Byrne, Julie Bolte and Kohles recorded the other Hokie goals.
Tech was shut out for over an 18-minute span as Carolina went on an 8-0 run to open up a lead, which proved to be insurmountable.
Carolina (14-3) had seven players find the back of the net, with three; Jamie Ortega, Ela Hazar and Marie McCool each tallying hat tricks.
Taylor Moreno recorded 17 saves in goal, tying her career-high.
In the midfield, Petty secured three draw controls and grabbed four ground balls.
The Hokies will be watching intently on Sunday, May 6 when the NCAA Selection Show airs. Twenty-seven programs will hear their name called, 14 of which are automatic qualifiers, via winning their conference tournaments.
Tech is seeking its first ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament.