The No. 18 Virginia Tech Hokies came away with a 2-2 draw in a hard-fought match Tuesday night against a talented Davidson club. Defender Jakob Bluemler scored both goals for Tech, the first and second of his career, and goalkeeper Mathijs Swaneveld recorded eight saves, but it wasn't enough to earn the victory.
The result moves the Hokies' record to 9-4-3 ahead of Friday's clash with No. 9 Duke. That match will have significant seeding implications, as both clubs jockey for position in the ACC table.
Bleumler started the scoring in the 18thminute when he took a shot that was deflected and fell right back at his foot. The defender from Bad Soden, Germany tucked his finish away and turned to celebrate the first goal of his career.
Tech took that one-goal advantage into the halftime interval.
In the second period, Davidson got more of a hold in the match, outshooting the Hokies 11-4 during that stretch.
Freshman Harry Howell converted a penalty kick in the 70thminute to tie the match.
Tech responded immediately, with Bluemler's second of the night, a delicate finish at the back post off of another assist from junior James Kasak, his seventh of the season.
However, the scoring didn't stop there as the Wildcats' Jaylen Thompson received the ball on the right wing and cut in on his left foot and curled a shot to the back post to tie the match once again.
There would be no more clear chances the rest of the night, even though Tech kept the pressure on taking four corners in the second half. In goal, Davidson's Sawyer Gaffney came up with six saves on the night.
Next up:Tech returns home to Thompson Field to face the No. 9 Duke Blue Devils in the final contest of the regular season on Friday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. on ACC Network Extra. That match will serve as Senior Day for Rory Slevin a four-year member of the program.
The Hokies have already clinched a home match in the ACC Tournament, but still have more to play for. With a win on Friday night, and pending other results around the league, the Hokies can quietly assume the four seed and earn a bye into the quarterfinal round.
A win would also mean a 10thwin for the third season in a row for the Hokies and Head Coach Mike Brizendine, a feat that has not been accomplished in Blacksburg since a similar streak from 2001-03.