Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech women's soccer team opened the 2020 Tech Athletics season with a match last weekend at Virginia (Sept. 12) - the school's first competition since mid-March. The team will now play the school's first two league games as the Hokies stay on the road for their first two ACC matches. On Thursday, Tech faces the Clemson Tigers in both program's ACC season opener, and then, will travel to Chapel Hill, N.C. to face the Tar Heels on Sunday.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Thursday, September 17 - 7 PM
Riggs Field, Clemson, S.C.
vs. Clemson Tigers (1-0-0, 0-0-0 ACC)
Head Coach: Eddie Radwanski (10th season, 20th overall)
Record at school: 94-63-21; career: 233-127-35
Series: Tied at 6-6-4; Last: Sept. 29, 2019 (L, 3-1)
Live Stats: CLICK HERE
Broadcast: ACC Network Extra
Link: CLICK HERE
Sunday, September 20 - 11 AM (Please note the time change)
Dorrance Field, Chapel Hill, N.C.
vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (0-0-0, 0-0-0 ACC)
Head Coach: Anson Dorrance (42nd season)
Record at school: 871-76-41; career: same
Series: UNC leads 18-2-0; Last: Oct. 27, 2019 (L, 2-0)
Live Stats: CLICK HERE
Broadcast: ACC Network
Link: CLICK HERE
Top Notes for the Hokies (link to Game Notes pdf packet)
Tech in ACC openers - overall and on the road
- In 16 years in the league, Tech is 5-10-1 in ACC openers, but ending a four-match losing streak with its 2-0 win over Miami last year (Sept. 21).
- Before that win, the Hokies were outscored 10-1 in their last four openers, however, they were at No. 7 Florida State (3-0, 2018), at No. 4 Duke (3-0, 2017), at No. 4 Virginia (2-0, 2016) and versus No. 3 North Carolina (2-1, 2015).
- In ACC openers on the road, Tech is 1-6-1 and has faced a ranked opponent in seven straight.
- The Hokies won their first ever ACC opener at Maryland, 2-0, on Sept. 3, 2004 and earned a draw at No. 25 Miami (1-1) on Sept. 25, 2008.
- Tech has been outscored 16-5 in eight road ACC openers, have not scored since the opener at No. 6 Maryland (Sept. 18, 2011) in a 2-1 loss and have been shutout in three straight (see above).
Facing Clemson in the ACC opener
- Thursday's match against Clemson will mark the third time Tech has opened its ACC season with a match against the Tigers, but the first time it will be played on the road.
- On Sept. 24, 2009, the Hokies downed Clemson in overtime as Julian Johnson scored in the 97th minute for a 2-1 victory.
- Five years later, on Sept. 19, 2014, No. 2 Tech and No. 17 Clemson met in Blacksburg with the Hokies winning 2-0 despite playing the final 40 minutes with just 10 players.
Facing an unranked Tar Heel team
- Due to the United Soccer Coaches poll on hold until Sept. 22, Sunday's match at North Carolina will mark the first time ever the Hokies will face an "unranked" Tar Heel team.
- In its history against UNC, the Tar Heels have been ranked no lower than 18th (twice), has been ranked in the top 10, 18 times and in the top 5, 15 times, including the last five meetings.