Hokie ClubThe Virginia Tech lacrosse team (4-8, 0-6) led from start to finish and heard the horn sound on a 10-5 victory over No. 19 Elon at Rudd Field Wednesday night, marking their first ranked win of the season for the squad. It was the Phoenix's first loss of 2021 (8-1).
"That was an important win for us tonight, to knock off Elon who has a top 15 RPI," John Sung said postgame. "Morgan Berman made some huge saves in the second half to keep the lead and she had been practicing well and we saw it out there today. The offense was more in sync and looked good today which just takes time. We'll enjoy this one and get ready for the weekend."
The Hokies were led in coring by their senior midfielders Emma Crooks and Paige Petty who each tallied a hat trick in the contest.
Tech got on the board early through freshman Whitney Liebler who scored inside of the opening 90 seconds of the contest to take the lead. Crooks and Petty would provide a one-two punch a few minutes later to expand the advantage to three goals.
A three-goal Hokie run in a six-minute span later in the opening frame opened up the lead to 7-2, and Tech would head into halftime leading 7-3.
Neither squad could find the net for the first 13 minutes of the second period, until Mae McGlynn of Elon scored from a free position to close the gap to three at 7-4. That would be as close as the Phoenix would come as once again Crooks and Petty tallied to widen the lead.
In goal, senior Morgan Berman made her second start of the season and turned in a phenomenal performance making six saves and causing two turnovers. She finished with three ground balls.
Paige Tyson (2) and Caroline Allen (1) were the Hokies' other goal scorers on the night and Sarah Lubnow had three assists.
GAME NOTES
•Virginia Tech is now 5-1 against Elon.
•John Sung's record moves to 44-35 at Virginia Tech and 144-80 in his career as a head coach.
•Tech is 4-6 all-time on April 14.
•The win was the program's first ranked win since March 17, 2019 defeating No. 13 Denver 15-14 in overtime.
•Tech is 1-7 against ranked opposition in 2021.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
•The Hokies outshot the Phoenix 31-18.
•Tech held a 9-7 advantage on the draw with Petty corralling five.
•Tech entered the game second nationally in clearing percentage and their prowess was on display converting 18 of 18 opportunities.
NEXT TIME ON THE FIELD
•The Hokies will travel to Duke to take on the eighth-ranked Blue Devils on Saturday April 17. First draw for that contest will be held at 1 p.m. and the game will be shown on ACC Network Extra.
In the first meeting of the season on February 21, the Blue Devils earned a 12-8 victory. Four Hokies; Sarah Lubnow, Paige Petty, Emma Crooks and Caroline Allen each scored two goals in the game.Gallery: (4-14-2021) 2021 LACROSSE AT ELON