CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The third collegiate game-winner of Nicole Kozlova's career, along with Emily Gray's fourth goal of the season, secured a 2-1 decision for Virginia Tech over Charlotte on Sunday evening at Transamerica Field.
With their third straight win in the Charlotte series, the Hokies moved to 6-8 on the season. The 49ers dropped to 1-3.
"Pretty excited and proud of our group today," Tech women's soccer head coach Chugger Adair expressed. "The opportunity to be back on the field was a wonderful feeling for us all. Proud of how we played and persevered through a difficult game – our first game back.
"We did a number of good things. We had good combination play, had some pretty good movement, and created a lot of opportunities."
It took only eight minutes for Tech to strike for the first time this Spring, as Gray took a through ball from freshman Tori Powell and beat the 49ers' goalkeeper, 1v1.
Charlotte's Michaella Arteta scored the equalizer in the 15th minute, and the score would remain that way until Kozlova's late-game heroics.
With just over three minutes remaining in regulation, the Hokies made their move on a good change of point of attack through the midfield as Emmalee McCarter found Kozlova for a one-touch finish in the lower-right corner of goal.
Tech ended the match with a 16-7 shot advantage and earned four corners.
The Hokies welcome William & Mary to Thompson Field, March 20, for their lone home match of the Spring season. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. and will be broadcast on ACCNX.