Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech lacrosse team is set to take the field for the first time in 2021 as they head north on I-81 to take on the Liberty Flames on Friday, February 12, 2021. First draw is at 4 p.m. and the game can be streamed on ESPN+.
The Hokies enter the season ranked 16th in the Inside Lacrosse Poll.
"I am looking forward to being able to compete again," Head Coach John Sung said. "The kids have been off (from competition) for almost a year and to get back out there and put the uniform back on and play with each other and play for each other is what we've been waiting for. I am excited for this group to show what they can do."
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Friday, February 12 – 4 PM
Liberty Lacrosse Field, Lynchburg, Va.
At Liberty (0-0)
Head Coach: Kelly Nangle
Record at school: 52-66 (eighth season); Career: 68-84 (Tenth season)
Series: Virginia Tech leads 8-0 Last: Feb. 15, 2021 (W, 20-5 in Blacksburg, Va.)
Live Stats: CLICK HERE
Broadcast: ACC Network
WHAT WE'RE WATCHING FOR
•A hot start
Since Coach Sung's arrival in 2016 the Hokies are 3-1 in season openers, averaging 14.25 goals per game. In Tech's eight victories over Liberty, the Hokies are averaging 15 goals.
"We are deeper at each position everywhere, that's the one thing with the freshmen and transfers, is finally having the depth that we want to have to keep the momentum of the program moving forward," Sung said of the 2021 roster.
•How the Hokies jell in their first competitive action of 2021
With the addition of talented transfers Kennedy Lynch and Caroline Allen as well as some freshmen who figure to feature, Tech's midfield looks a little different than it did in 2020, when it featured the only trio to score 23 goals each on the same roster during the season.
Now with a healthy Paige Petty and fellow senior Emma Crooks, Tech's midfield line is as strong as ever.
"Obviously Paige, Emma and the returners are going to be big players for us," Sung said. "Some of the other kids that you'll see making an impact are Carolina Allen, Kennedy Lynch and Sophie Student. Those three kids will really light up the stat sheet for us and they make us a little more whole on the offensive end. The older two have experience in big games and big moments and that is only going to help us."
•The play of the defensive group
Tech's defense led by Associate Head Coach Amanda Shimp was one of the nation's best last season, and every major contributor to that group is back again in 2021.
Goalie Angie Benson, in her second season with the Hokies, will look to build on a tremendous 2020 season where she posted a 7-3 record and was second in the nation with a 7.38 goals against average. She made 83 saves on the season and had four contests with 10 or more. In a win at Louisville, she made 16 saves and owned a 53% save percentage in 2020.