Petty eclipses 100 career points with six-goal barrage in Tech’s rout of Fresno State Tuesday afternoonPetty eclipses 100 career points with six-goal barrage in Tech’s rout of Fresno State Tuesday afternoon
Lacrosse

Petty eclipses 100 career points with six-goal barrage in Tech’s rout of Fresno State Tuesday afternoon

Virginia Tech head coach John Sung, hoped his team could grow on their west coast swing during spring break, and with games against two quality opponents, the opportunity was in front of them to secure some much-needed wins. After Sunday's setback at USC, the nation's 18th-ranked squad, Tuesday's contest at Fresno State became an even more important test for the Hokies.
 
But Tech never flinched and indeed passed the test, running past the Bulldogs on their home field and moving to 5-4 on the season. 
 
After the Bulldogs got on the board first, not even a minute into the game, Tech won the draw and got the ball into the hands off their All-American Paige Petty. She would score the game's next two goals, a theme that would continue throughout the contest as the sophomore midfielder would finish the game with six tallies to pace the Hokies. 
 
In the process, she scored her 100thpoint as a Hokie, all in just 29 career games. 
 


 
A six-goal run spanning the 15-minute mark to 7:45 on the clock in the first half saw Tech turn a two-goal deficit into a four-goal advantage, one the Hokies would never relinquish. In that crucial stretch, Petty, Sara Goodwin and Julia Bolte each tallied two goals. The trio would combine for 11 of Tech's 15 strikes on the afternoon.  
 
At the final whistle, Tech walked off with a 15-8 victory and some momentum as they travel back home across the country.
 
Morgan Berman, Tech's sophomore goalie made seven saves in a complete game effort.
 
 
Quoting Coach Sung

  • That was a good team win today to beat Fresno and be able to come home with a win, I'm happy about that.
  • I thought our defense played pretty well, Taylor Caskey played hard and I really liked how we redefend all afternoon.
  • Obviously, Paige had 6 goals, I thought she was pretty focused on the attack and was able to convert for us. To get her 100th point in a win is nice and I'm happy for her accomplishment. 
  • Then we had some kids step up, I thought Grace Nelson, and Mary Clare McCarthy and others were good when we called upon them. 
  • We did some good things being patient offensively today. Sara Goodwin played great today and it showed with three goals.

 
Inside the box score

  • Petty's six goals ties her season best. The sophomore entered Tuesday's contest third in the conference and in goals and tied for fourth most nationally.
  • Tech held an advantage on draws all afternoon with Petty and Emma Crooks each securing four. Elena Ricci had three.
  • The Hokies used those possessions to assault Fresno's goal, taking 44 shots in the game. Twenty-six of those were recorded on target. 
  • Tech's defense caused 11 turnovers with three different defenders; Ricci, Leigh Lingo and Lizzie Lohrer each causing two. 

 
Game Notes

  • The win moves the Hokies to 5-4 ahead of a clash with 13th-ranked Denver on Sunday, March 17. The Pioneers, who Tech defeated last season on their spring break trip out west, are riding a two-game winning streak and face Gardner-Webb on Friday, March 15 before travelling to Blacksburg.
  • The meeting with the Bulldogs was the first in program history.

 
What's next

  • Tech returns home for a game on Sunday, March 17 at home against No. 13 Denver. First draw is scheduled for noon from the Beamer-Lawson Indoor Practice Facility.
  • That game can be viewed on ACC Network Extra.