Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – If you would have asked just about anyone in the lacrosse community if they thought that Virginia Tech could win 14 games and make it to the NCAA's Second Round in 2018, they would have been extremely skeptical. Even Coach Sung wasn't sure how far his team could go.
Incredibly, in just his second season in charge in Blacksburg, Sung was able to guide Tech to its best season in its 24-year history, recording signature wins over five ranked opponents, earning the three seed in the ACC tournament and reaching the Second Round of the NCAA tournament.
Tech used a balance of experienced seniors, particularly on defense and some talented freshman, namely Paige Petty to build a successful season. Petty, the Hokies' leading scorer with 58 tallies, earned first-team All-ACC accolades for her efforts, which included 65 draw control wins in the midfield.
As a team, the Hokies reset the record for points (344) and goals scored (262) as well as tallying the most draw controls in a single season, 273. Ninety-six of those draws fell into the stick of senior Tristan McGinley, another first-team selection who broke her own record for most draw controls in a season. She ended her career third all-time at Tech in that category, fifth in goals scored and eighth in total points.
The Hokies used inspiring efforts from individuals all season long, starting with the first win of the season, a contest versus Old Dominion on February 17. In that game, junior Kelci O'Donnell scored four goals off of the bench, a career-high, helping the Hokies to a 20-3 victory.
Below is a timeline of 2018 season highlights and record breaking performances:
Feb. 21 – Freshman Emma Crooks' first start turned into a career afternoon as the midfielder tallied eight goals as Tech defeated Campbell 17-8. Her eight goals are tied for the second most goals scored in a single game and her nine total points ranks fourth. She also tallied five draw controls on the afternoon.
Feb. 24 – The Hokies beat No. 10 Duke 17-14 at the Indoor Practice Facility, the second consecutive victory over the Blue Devils after opening the series 0-19. Tristan McGinley and Paige Petty combined for nine goals and Meagh Grahammade 10 saves in goal as Tech opened the ACC campaign 1-0.
March 7 - McGinley recorded the 100th goal of her career in an 11-5 win over Denver. Not only did the Hokies end their Spring Break trip by adding a game in the win column, it was the Moorestown, New Jersey native's birthday.
March 11 – The 9-6 triumph over Notre Dame was the first ever win against the Fighting Irish for the Hokies and kept their 100 percent record in league play in 2018.
March 31 - Marissa Davey scored two goals, taking her career tally over the century mark as the Hokies powered past Louisville 15-14 on the road. Tech scored five of the game's final six goals to earn the come from behind win. Petty scored seven times on the afternoon.
April 7 – Trailing by four goals with 10 minutes to go in the game, Tech went on a furious run to tie the game through Taylor Caskey's goal, setting up overtime against the No. 18 Syracuse. After a scoreless opening overtime period, the Hokies won the draw allowing Julia Bolte to find McGinley making her way towards the goal where she fired in the game winner. It was Tech's first victory over the Orange.
April 14 – With her four ground balls in the Boston College game, Meagh Graham passed Kari Morrison for most career ground balls in program history. Graham would go on to finish her career with 192.
April 21 – On Senior Day Lane Stadium, the Hokies matched up with in-state rival Virginia for the regular season finale. At stake was seeding for the conference tournament, with the winner earning the three seed and the loser falling into the four slot. Petty scored four goals, freshman Sarah Lubnow added four points in her first career start and Marissa Davey scored five points as Tech won 16-12, earning a point for Virginia Tech in the Commonwealth Clash presented by Virginia529. The victory was also the 12th of the season, setting a new record for the program.
April 25 – The ACC announced its All-Conference selections, with a record four Hokies receiving first-team recognition. McGinley, Petty, Graham and Kelly Glatthorn were each recognized for their fantastic play throughout the regular season. Tech and regular season champion Boston College were the only clubs to place four student-athletes on the first-team.
April 26 – It took until just before 1 a.m. for the game to conclude, but Tech's opening game of the ACC tournament against Duke ended in a Hokies win 13-12. After two separate rain delays that each lasted over an hour, after an 8 p.m. first draw, Tech came away with its first ever tournament win. Tech built a 13-6 lead behind goals from Petty (4), Davey (2), Lubnow (2), Caskey (2), Mary Claire Byrne (2) and Bolte with 10:04 to play. Duke fought back but Graham and the defense kept the Blue Devils off of the scoreboard when it mattered most, preserving the victory and sending Tech into the next round.
May 6 – The Hokies gathered for a Watch Party in Lane Stadium, with family of friends of the program, to find out their opponent and destination for the 2018 NCAA tournament. The bid was the first in program history. Tech's first opponent would be the Georgetown Hoyas.
May 11 – After a slow start falling behind 2-0 in their NCAA debut, the Hokies came back and comfortably advanced to the Second Round of the championships, defeating Georgetown 13-10. McGinley and Petty paced the team scoring four goals each and the goalkeeping duo of Graham and Morgan Berman made 11 saves.
Despite the departure of the winningest senior class in program history, including Meagh Graham's 38 victories in goal, the future of the lacrosse program is bright in Blacksburg. With Byrne and Emma Harden set to return in 2019 as redshirt seniors and young players like Petty, Crooks and Leigh Lingo logging significant minutes, it stands to reason that the Hokies will be a dominant side once again in 2019.