BLACKSBURG - The 2019 season and home opener for the Virginia Tech Women's Soccer team is just two days away. The Hokies just recently finished their preseason training camp which included their final scrimmage of the year. Tech took down George Mason, 2-1, on Saturday night, a match that was delayed for almost two hours during halftime due to lightning in the area.
At George Mason, Tech needed a game-winning goal from Emma Steigerwald, assisted by Sydney Ash, to break a 1-1 tie and leave Fairfax, Virginia with a victory. Stats were not kept in the match, however, Emmalee McCarter opened the evening's scoring in the second half as she scored the Hokies' first goal, assisted by Molly Feighan, before the home team got the equalizer.
Head Coach Chugger Adair took some time to answer a few questions leading up to Thursday's home opener against Liberty.
Q: What were your thoughts regarding Saturday's scrimmage?
CA: "It was good. It was a good opportunity for us to play. I think it was a very difficult night. It got disjointed with the weather and the long lightning delay. It just became a longer day. We did a good job after that, regrouping and playing. I thought we struggled a little bit on the night, it wasn't one of our best efforts. We had some tired legs from training camp. We're trying to get ourselves back regenerated after the training camp the past couple weeks. Saturday, it just ended up being a long day with the longer weather delay, and the trip, and everything."
Q: When was the delay?
CA: "It was right at halftime. I thought, in the first half, we controlled most of the tempo. We weren't very sharp around goal, but I think at halftime, that weather delay came and it's just like 30 minutes, a stike, another 30 minutes. It just kept pushing back. We ended up about two hours late. It was a long day and I think we did a good job dealing with it as far as the kids go, but it ended up not being as smooth as we would've liked."
Q: Can you reflect on the training camp as a whole?
CA: "I think it's been good. I think the mood's been good for the kids. I think, out of all the sessions, we had a couple stinker sessions, but I think that's normal. You're training double days. You're pushing. You're asking the kids to do a lot. I think they've been, for the most part, working hard and trying to do what you're asking, so I've been pretty happy with that. The culture seems good. We're just getting ready and getting geared up for the season."
Q: What can you tell us about Liberty?
CA: "Each year, they've been getting better and better. They're a good side. I think they got some more athletes within their group. The school is growing on the women's side soccer. It's going to be a very challenging game for us. You got to come out ready to play from start to finish. I think it's going to test us right off the bat."
Q: Is the team ready for the 2019 season?
CA: "I'm sure they are. I think the kids are itching to play a real competitive game and to push themselves. In the scrimmages, we played everybody, and we tried a few different things so we're going to put together hopefully what is our best group. We step out and get the right foot forward in the game versus Liberty and come out the chute and try to set a tone for the season. We're excited and looking forward to the match."
The Hokies open the regular season with a home weekend starting with the Flames (Thursday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m.) and finishing it with Cincinnati (Sunday, Aug. 25, 1 p.m.).
The ONLY way to see Tech matches this season – other than in-person – is on the ACC Network. CLICK HERE to see if your provider is currently slated to carry the network.