BLACKSBURG – Returning to Thompson Field for the first time since Friday's setback versus top ranked Wake Forest, the No. 14 Virginia Tech men's soccer team made quick work of Longwood Tuesday night, handing the Lancers a 5-1 loss. James Kasak got the scoring started early in the ninth minute when he latched onto a rebound on the left side of the box and placed his shot into the corner.
Three more Tech goals were scored in the first 45 minutes, with Jon Ingason converting from the penalty spot (18th), Kristo Strickler scoring an open net goal after Kahlil Dover rounded the keeper (24th) and Sebastian Rodriguez's first goal when he curled an effort from the top of the box into the far post (33rd).
🔥📹 of Sebastian Rodriguez's first collegiate goal 👀
— Virginia Tech Men's Soccer (@HokiesMSoccer) September 19, 2018
His strike in the 33rd minute made it 4-0 as we got back to our winning ways tonight#Hokies 🦃⚽️ pic.twitter.com/NSGx93ylcD
(9/18/2018) 2018 MEN'S SOCCER vs. LONGWOOD
It looked like it would be more of the same after the break, as Strickler tapped in his second of the night after a cross was deflected off of the bar by a Lancer to make the score 5-0. However, two minutes later Tech conceded to Longwood's Mikel Adando who held off the challenge of two Tech defenders and guided his shot into the corner of the net beating Mathijs Swaneveld.
The Dutchman would finish the contest with six saves, keeping the Lancers off of the board for the remainder of the match.
The Hokies were in the ascendancy much of the match, outshooting Longwood 21-13 and earning more corners (5-1).
OF NOTE
- Tech's five goals scored were the most since a 7-1 thrashing of VMI during the 2016 season. That match also took place at Thompson Field.
- Hokies skipper Ingason has scored in three consecutive matches, matching Strickler's streak from earlier in the season. All three of Ingason's strikes have come from set pieces, two penalties and a free kick.
- After going 1-1 last week, Tech rose in the latest United Soccer Coaches Poll, taking the No. 14 spot. It is the team's highest ranking of the 2018 season to date.
NEW 📈#Hokies 🦃⚽️ move up to No. 14 in the latest poll Tuesday pic.twitter.com/3Ls5Ls3pDP
— Virginia Tech Men's Soccer (@HokiesMSoccer) September 18, 2018
NEXT UP
The Hokies will travel to Raleigh, North Carolina for a top 25 matchup against the 18th ranked Wolfpack of NC State. State is 5-1 on the season, but has not played a match since September 11, postponing each of the last two schedule contests.
The game will be broadcasted on Fox Sports South, with kickoff slated for 5 p.m.