BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech men's soccer team is back on the pitch this weekend at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott JMU Invitational, where the Hokies will look to continue their strong start to the season. After winning both games on the west coast against Loyola Marymount and UC Santa Barbara, Tech will take on Loyola and Hofstra from the Patriot League and the CAA respectively.
Tech Hokies climbed up to number 10 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll Tuesday, making the program's first appearance in the top 10 since September of 2008.
#️⃣1️⃣0️⃣in 🇺🇸‼️
— Virginia Tech Men's Soccer (@HokiesMSoccer) September 3, 2019
We jump up six spots after going 2-0 opening weekend #Hokies🦃⚽️ pic.twitter.com/IxYAgtGI8Q
The opener at LMU saw the Hokies take lead in the first minute through Jakob Bluemler who one-timed a ball from James Kasak on the wing into the net for his third career goal. After allowing an equalizer, Tech pushed for a game winner and found it in the 89thminute through Kristo Strickler. The move started with Nico Quashie who played a ball to Nick Blacklock who was able to set up Strickler in behind the defense.
At UC Santa Barbara, Tech found themselves down early after a defensive mistake was capitalized upon by the Gauchos in the fifth minute. Senior Jon Ingason brought the Hokies level shortly thereafter with a brilliant free kick from 25 yards out that curled up and over the wall beating the keeper. It was his fifth career goal, all of which have come from set pieces.
In the second half, the Hokies continued to apply pressure and got their reward when Kasak made a run and played a dangerous ball into the box that ricocheted off of a defender and went in. Forward Jacob Labovitz would add an insurance goal 15 minutes from time, his first in a Virginia Tech uniform and the Hokies would close the game out as 3-1 winners.
Alrighty then. 🤭#NCAASoccer | @HokiesMSoccerpic.twitter.com/qfYhk3rSHm
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) September 4, 2019
A look at the matches this weekend
Game 1 – Friday, September 6
vs Loyola
4 p.m.
Loyola got their season started last weekend with a trip to the Tar Heel state, that saw them suffer two 2-1 losses, first to NC State and then to Appalachian State.
Senior forward Josh Fawole scored off of a corner against the Wolfpack and the Greyhounds' goal at Appalachian State came from midfielder Morgan Lussi. In goal, Chase Vosvick faced 28 shots and was credited with four saves.
The Hokies and Greyhounds have met once in 1992, with the two tying 1-1.
Game 2 – Sunday, September 8
vs Hofstra
4 p.m.
The Pride opened their season with two identical 1-0 wins against Fordham and UMBC. Hendrik Hebbeker scored a penalty kick against the Rams and Frederick Rieper found the net for the winner at UMBC.
Alex Ashton the Pride's goalkeeper made a total of seven saves in week one, facing 25 shot attempts.
Tech last played Hofstra in 2008, falling 4-1.