BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech women's soccer team returns to action Thursday night, the start of a three-match homestand, when the Hokies welcome Miami to Thompson Field for an ACC contest that starts at 7 p.m. and will be nationally televised by RSN/Fox Sports South. On Sunday, Tech will face its eighth ranked foe when No. 13 Louisville comes to Blacksburg for a 2 p.m. kickoff - another nationally televised game (RSN/Fox Sports South).
Fan information: To follow the public health guidelines and ensure the safety of Virginia Tech's student-athletes, staff and fans, all Olympic fall sports at Virginia Tech will compete without fans in attendance until further notice. Tech women's soccer matches will be played without spectators, while only essential staff and family members of the student-athletes will be allowed in attendance. CLICK HERE for more information on 2020 gameday policies & procedures.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Thursday, October 15 - 7 PM
Thompson Field, Blacksburg, Va.
vs. Miami Hurricanes (0-5-0, 0-4-0 ACC)
Head Coach: Sarah Barnes (3rd season, 9th overall)
Record at school: 11-23-5; career: 71-64-19
Series: VT leads 11-4-4; Last: Sept. 21, 2019 (W, 2-0)
Live Stats: CLICK HERE
Broadcast: RSN/Fox Sports South; Link: CLICK HERE
Check out our new GameDay link: CLICK HERE
Sunday, October 18 - 2 PM
Thompson Field, Blacksburg, Va.
vs. #13 Louisville Cardinals (3-1-0, 3-1-0 ACC)
Head Coach: Karen Ferguson-Dayes (21st season)
Record at school: 185-162-37; career: same
Series: Tied 2-2-2; Last: Oct. 25, 2018 (W, 1-0)
Live Stats: CLICK HERE
Broadcast: RSN/Fox Sports South; Link: CLICK HERE
Check out our new GameDay link: CLICK HERE
Top Notes for the Hokies (link to Game Notes pdf packet)
Critical week for the Hokies
- Tech plays its final two ACC home matches of the 2020 this weekend, and with just four games left in the league's season, the Hokies currently sit two points out of the eighth spot in the conference's standings.
- The top eight teams in the final league standings will advance to the ACC Championship, starting with quarterfinal matches at campus sites on Tuesday, Nov. 10, the semifinals on Friday, Nov. 13, and the final on Sunday, Nov. 15 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.
- After its final home game of the season, versus Navy on Oct. 24 - Senior Day - Tech will close out with matches at Wake Forest (10/29) and Boston College (11/1).
Knowledge with Numbers
- 51 - Saves for goalkeeper Alia Skinner in the team's first seven matches, the most for any Hokie in recorded history to this point. Tech is scheduled to play 12 matches in 2020, and since the team joined the ACC, Mallory Soldner's 62 saves through 12 matches in 2004 are the most ever. She had 68 through 12 in 2003 and the team had 72.
- 46 - Consecutive starts for junior Emmalee McCarter, dating back to Aug. 24, 2018 versus UNCW, the longest active streak on the team.
- 634/1,753 - Consecutive minutes played by Grace Sklopan this season and dating back to the last time she left a match - Sept. 13, 2019 vs. College of Charleston. Sklopan has played every minute of Tech's last 19 matches. The last Tech field player to play every minute of the first seven matches of a season was Kelsey Irwin, who played every minute (2,057) of 2018. Her total consecutive streak lasted 3,386:27 straight minutes (36 matches).
Hokies versus the Hurricanes
- All-time, the Hokes hold an 11-4-4 overall record against Miami, including a two-match winning streak. Tech is 8-1-2 in games in Blacksburg, including victories in five straight and an 8-0-1 mark in the last nine.
- In the last matchup (9/21/19), Emily Gray scored twice in a 2-0 victory to extend the team's win streak to start the 2019 season to 9-0. Gray scored off a PK in the eighth minute and then secured the win with a goal in the 86th minute to register her first career brace and her third straight game-winning goal. Of her seven career goals, Gray has scored three against the Hurricanes.
Hokies versus the Cardinals
- All-time, the Hokies series with Louisville is tied at 2-2-2, but Tech is unbeaten in four straight. However, the Hokies are 0-1-1 in Blacksburg.
- In the last meeting, Tech needed a win in the final match of the regular season (10/25/18) to make the ACC Championship and it was an Emily Gray cross in the 36th minute that was finished by Jordan Hemmen for the game winner, 1-0.