Hokie ClubRALEIGH, N.C. – Paige Petty scored three goals for the Hokies, her 10th hat trick of the season, but it wasn't enough as the Hokies fell to second-seeded North Carolina 17-8 Sunday afternoon ending Virginia Tech's first ever trip to the NCAA tournament.
UNC set the tone in the early goings as the Heels got out to a 5-0 lead at the 17:48 mark after Marie McCool's goal. Carolina won the game's first seven draw controls and went on to own a 17-10 advantage in that category on the afternoon, including 13 by McCool.
McCool, Maggie Bill and Jamie Ortega each recorded hat tricks for the Heels (16-3) who advance to the quarterfinal round on Saturday, May 20 to take on Northwestern.
Taylor Moreno secured 11 saves in goal, which helped the Heels overcome a 19-11 discrepancy in turnovers.
Meagh Graham forced six turnovers in the crease and also grabbed three ground balls. Freshman Leigh Lingo and Kelly Glatthorn each recorded two caused turnovers on the afternoon.
The Hokies struggle getting into an offensive rhythm Sunday taking 25 shots and only converting 1-of-7 on free position opportunities. Taylor Caskey, Emma Crooks, Sarah Lubnow, Julia Bolte and Tristan McGinley each tallied one goal and Glatthorn recorded an assist.
Tech grabbed more ground balls (20-13) than the Heels but were often unable to turn them into opportunities on the other end.
The 2018 season concludes as the most successful campaign in school history, with a comprehensive list of awards and accolades below.
Tech's 2018 awards and accolades garnered during their historic run:
-Most wins in a season
-Most ACC wins in a season
-First year with multiple First Team All-ACC performers (McGinley, Petty, Glatthorn, Graham)
-First ACC tournament victory
-First bid to NCAA tournament
-Earned the program's first ever wins over Notre Dame, Louisville, and Syracuse
-Petty earned First Team All-South Region IWLCA honors and Glatthorn was included on the Second Team
With 36 wins, the class of 2018, composed of Emma Harden, Carly Primo, Kristen Kohles, Brittney VanVeldhuisen, Glatthorn, McGinley and Marissa Davey graduate as the winingest class in program history.
Graham, who took part in the 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018 seasons has been a part of 38 wins and owns the lowest single season goals against average at 9.64.