Hokie ClubLYNCHBURG, VA – The Virginia Tech lacrosse team opened up the 2021 season Friday afternoon with a 13-5 win at Liberty behind five points from senior Sarah Lubnow and Paige Petty who added three points.
"Angie played really well," Head Coach John Sung said. "Our defense was solid and I told them we are going to lean on them. I thought they did a really good job of executing our defense. On offense they shared the ball really well and we didn't shoot well today but we could've had a lot more. I'm happy to get the win to kick off the season."
The Flames (0-1) scored the game's first goal less than two minutes into the game, but the Hokies' defense would shut them out for the next 27 minutes, a stretch that saw Tech score nine times, including three in a span of a minute as the offense clicked into rhythm.
Tech held a 9-2 advantage at the break.
Liberty again scored quickly, this time nine seconds into the second half before the Hokies grabbed possession and got a goal of their own.
The margin was cut to six at one point before goals from Emma Crooks and Caroline Allen sealed the win.
Angie Benson secured eight saves in goal.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
•The Hokies outshot the Flames 36-18.
•Draw controls were even with both squads corralling 10.
•Tech scored five of 11 free position shots while Liberty didn't convert any of their five.
•The Flames struggled to clear the ball (19 of 31) while Tech was 20 of 22.
GAME NOTES
•Virginia Tech is now 9-0 against the Flames.
•John Sung's record moves to 41-28 at Virginia Tech and 141-73 in his career as a head coach.
•Tech is 2-2 all-time on February 12.
•Angie Benson's record as a starter at Virginia Tech moved to 8-3.
•Attacker Maddie Hoffman earned her first career start and Caroline Allen started for the first time as a Hokie in the game. Hoffman scored once and Allen contributed two goals, scoring her 100th career goal.
•Two other players made their Virginia Tech debuts, freshmen Sophie Student and Kacie Hanson.
NEXT TIME ON THE FIELD
•The Hokies will play host to James Madison on Wednesday, February 17 at Lane Stadium for a 2 p.m. matchup that will be shown on ACC Network.
•Tech is 0-18 all-time against the Dukes, after barely being edged last season, falling 9-8 in OT on a rain-soaked evening in Harrisonburg. Gallery: (2-12-2021) 2021 LACROSSE OPENER at LIBERTY