CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The 21st ranked Virginia Tech men's soccer team drew No. 10 Virginia on the road Friday afternoon to begin ACC play. The result moves the Hokies to 3-0-2 on the season after a second consecutive tie.
Virginia moved to 1-0-2 (0-0-1 ACC)
The action got started early as Kristo Strickler scored in the first minute, banging home a rebound after Sivert Haugli flicked on a long throw from Brendan Moyers. The sophomore turned in the box and his shot found the net, wrong footing the keeper through the crowd of bodies in the box. It was the third consecutive match that Strickler had scored in a new career best.
Juts one minute later Nathaniel Crofts leveled the match at one, scoring on a header from Irakoze Donasiyano's cross on the right wing.
The rest of the half was a back and forth affair that saw the Cavaliers shoot the ball nine times, but many chances were over the bar and did not trouble Mathijs Swaneveld's goal.
In the second frame the Hokies had several opportunities to find the net, especially on the foot of Khalil Dover who got behind the defense and saw his shot saved. The rebound fell to the right foot of Sebastian Rodriguez making his debut for the team. David Sanz's effort from the top of the box was saved and Strickler's follow up attempt was blocked out of bounds by the Cavaliers' defense.
Ninety minutes was not enough to break the deadlock but the start of overtime was delayed briefly for inclement weather that featured lightning strikes in the area, the overtime period began and Virginia looked the more threatening side during the first 10 minutes.
Tech had the majority of the chances, in the final 10 minutes, putting constant pressure on Colin Shutler's goal. The keeper finished the match with eight saves including stopping breakaways from Nico Quashie and James Kasak. Both players received the ball around the midfield line and beat their defenders using their athleticism to work into the box. Each time their shots were taken with their weaker feet and any rebound attempt was smothered.
The match was a part of the Commonwealth Clash presented by Virginia529. The score is tied 0.5 points apiece.
The Hokies are back on the pitch on Tuesday, September 11 for a non-conference match against UNCG. Kickoff from Greensboro is set for 7 p.m.