BLACKSBURG – After three straight road matches to start the season, the Virginia Tech women's soccer team played its first home contest of the 2020 season at Thompson Field Friday night. The Hokies battled the 11th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers for more than 90 minutes, but a goal off a corner kick by UVa's Claire Constant in the first overtime gave the visitor's the 1-0 win.
Playing Virginia (2-1-1) for the second time this season in a non-conference setting, the Hokies had more chances this time around forcing Cavalier goalkeeper Cayla White, in her first collegiate start, to make six saves on the night. Tech's goalkeeper Alia Skinner was up to the task yet again, stopping a season-high tying nine shots during regulation time, while there was also a team save made with under seven minutes to play to force the extra session.
Tech's (0-4) Emily Gray had a couple of scoring chances, including shots in the 33rd and 77th minutes. Tori Powell created a great scoring chance for herself in the 59th minute, splitting two UVa defenders to get a shot off. The subsequent corner came to the feet of Makenzie Graham, who also had a chance to break the scoreless tie, but White made another save.
Skinner stopped five shots in the opening half and, all night, she punched away numerous crosses and corner opportunities. However, in the 94th minute, Lia Godfrey's corner sailed a little further outside the six and Skinner got caught behind some bodies. Constant's header looped over a Tech defender and just inside the upper 90 for the game winner.
Additional Notes
- For the third straight match, the Hokies started five freshmen – goalkeeper Skinner, along with Taylor Bryan, Victoria Haugen, Averi Visage and Powell.
- Emmalee McCarter has started the last 43 straight matches for the Hokies, the longest active streak on the team.
- Grace Sklopan, Haugen and Visage have played every single minute of the 2020 season (364 straight minutes).
- This was Tech's first loss in a home opener in 20 years – last time was Aug. 27, 2000, a 3-2 loss to Seton Hall.
- The game winner was the Hokies first goal allowed in a home opener in almost 468 minutes – last was in the sixth minute of a 5-1 win over East Carolina on Aug. 26, 2016.
- Tech has faced four straight ranked teams to start the season - Virginia (twice) and current No. 3 Clemson and No. 1 North Carolina.
Coach's Comments
Here's @CoachChugger after tonight's match vs. No. 11 Virginia.
— Virginia Tech Women's Soccer (@HokiesWSoccer) September 26, 2020
"I think our team fought hard tonight for 100 minutes .... really disappointed for the team with how it ended up" pic.twitter.com/rViQ1HPUwm
Up Next
The Hokies are off for almost a week, but will return to ACC action for its next two home matches next week. Thursday, Tech will welcome current No. 2 Florida State to Thompson Field with kickoff slated for 8 p.m., while No. 12 Pittsburgh plays in Blacksburg on Sunday at 3 p.m.Gallery: (9-25-2020) 2020 WOMEN'S SOCCER vs. VIRGINIA