Lacrosse program set for two-game, ACC road swingLacrosse program set for two-game, ACC road swing
Lacrosse

Lacrosse program set for two-game, ACC road swing

Opens in a new window Road trip game notes

BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech lacrosse program hits the road this week for two games against top 10 program, Syracuse and Notre Dame. The Hokies will take on Syracuse on Wednesday, April 3, followed by a trip to South Bend, Indiana on April 7 to take on Notre Dame. Both games can be seen on ACC Network Extra.
 


 
Virginia Tech (8-5, 1-2 ACC) wrapped up a four-game homestand last week, a stretch where the Hokies went 3-1 with wins over No. 13 Denver, Elon and ACC opponent Louisville. The only defeat came to No. 4 North Carolina Wednesday.
 
The Hokies will look to rebound from a 19-5 loss at the hands of the Tar Heels on Wednesday. Emma Crooks scored two goals in the contest and shared the team-high in points of two with Taylor Caskey, who scored a goal and added an assist. On the defensive end, Mary-Claire Byrne led the team in ground balls with four, and in goal, Morgan Berman made six saves in the loss.
 
Virginia Tech will have the opportunity to face two top 10 opponents on the road swing. Tech is 1-5 against ranked opponents so far in 2019.
 


 
vs. the Orange (April 3, 4 p.m.)
Syracuse is 12-2 overall this season, 4-1 in the ACC. The Orange's only two losses this season came at the hands of No. 1 Boston College, losing 14-12, and No. 2 Maryland, a 12-11 overtime defeat. 
 
The Orange are led by Attacker Emily Hawryschuk, who has 48 goals and 12 assists on the season. Hawryschuk's 60 points are eighth in division one this season. Defender Sarah Cooper leads all outfield players in ground balls with 24. Goalie Asa Goldstock is 11-2 on the season with 98 saves and a 9.17 goal against average.  
 
The series with Syracuse
Virginia Tech and Syracuse have met on the lacrosse field 10 times in their history. The Hokies are 1-9 in those games, with their first and only win coming last season in a 15-14 double overtime victory in Blacksburg. Former Hokies and All-ACC performer Tristan McGinley took a pass from Julia Bolte and fired in the game winner in Blacksburg. Paige Petty scored five goals in the win. 

The game will be played at nearby Christian Brothers Academy.
 
vs. the Fighting Irish (April 7, 12 p.m.)
Notre Dame is 10-1 this season, 3-1 in the ACC. The Fighting Irish's first and only loss came March 24 to Syracuse 10-9. Before facing off the Hokies, Notre Dame at Boston College Wednesday.
 
Attacker Maddie Howe leads Notre Dame with 33 goals and 14 assists for 46 points this season. Goalie Samantha Giacolone has 86 saves and 6.18 goals against average. Giacolone also leads the Fighting Irish in ground balls, scooping up 30.
 
The series with Notre Dame 
Virginia Tech is 1-8 all-time against Notre Dame. The lone victory came last season with the Hokies winning 9-6 in Blacksburg. Petty and Emma Harden both had two goals, and Julia Bolte recorded two points. 
 
Notre Dame head coach Christine Halfpenny played for the Hokies, graduating in 1999. She was a starter on the 1999 team that won the Atlantic 10 title and achieved the program's first top 20 ranking. In. 2003, Halfpenny returned to Blacksburg as an assistant coach with the program. 
 
Sunday's contest will be played at Arlotta Stadium on the school's campus. 
 
Looking Ahead
After the two-game road trip is complete, Virginia Tech will return home for Senior Day against Boston College on April 13. The game's first draw is set for 12 p.m. 
 
The Hokies are 5-14 all-time against the Eagles.