WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The eleventh-seeded Virginia Tech men's soccer team tied No. 3 seed Wake Forest 2-2 in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament Sunday Night, as the Demon Deacons advanced to the semifinals after defeating the Hokies 6-5 in penalty kicks.
It was a tough opening period for the Hokies (9-5-3, 2-4-2) as the Deacons (13-3-2, 6-2-0) poured on the pressure early and often. Wake Forest held the advantage in shots (8-3), corner kicks (5-0) and possession (60-40), but were unable to score as they could not find a way past junior goalkeeper Mathijs Swaneveld. Swaneveld's five saves in the first half were the difference as Tech was able to head into the break even with the Deacons.
The Hokies were able to hold the Deacons at bay in the second half, until Joey Dezart's left-footed shot off a pass from a corner kick in the 60th minute gave them the lead. Wake Forest would go on to double that lead in the 76th minute when Kyle Holocomb found himself free in the box for a tap in.
Down 2-0, Tech was able to quickly respond in the 78th minute when James Kasak's shot deflected off a Wake Forest defender and into the net. The goal seemed to breathe new life into the Hokies as minutes later, Daniel Pereira's shot off a free kick from 23-yards out tied the game 2-2 in 82nd minute.
Both teams went back and forth In the following minutes of regulation and in the over time periods, but neither team was able to score as we went to penalty kicks. The Hokies would block the Deacons opening shot, but the Wake would go on to make their next six to advance, 6-5.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Shots: Wake Forest 21-8
- Corners: Wake Forest 11-2
- Saves: Virginia Tech 10-3
GAME NOTES
- The Hokies recorded two or more goals against Wake Forest for the first time since 2014, and the 7th time overall
- Pereira has now recorded a goal in his last three matches.
- Mata tied his career high with 10 saves on the night.
- Kasak's goal was his second of the year.
UP NEXT
The Hokies will now wait for the NCAA's Selection Show which will take place on Monday, Nov. 18 to find out their opponent in the competition. Tech has made three consecutive trips to the NCAA Championships beginning with the 2016 run to the Elite Eight.
Last season, the Hokies won their opening round match at Thompson Field against the Charlotte before being eliminated in the Second Round.