Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Playing one of the most difficult schedules in the country, the Virginia Tech women's soccer team endured a roller coaster of a 2020-21 season.
In a unique year, the Hokies competed during both semesters for the first time, and had to line up without their top returning scorer Nicole Kozlova, who missed most of the season on international duty with her native Ukrainian National Team.
The Hokies faced a challenging start to the season to say the very least. Each of their first seven contests came against ACC opposition ranked 14 or better nationally. On top of that, the first three matches were on the road. As a result, the team stumbled to an 0-5 start to the year, with a goal difference of 12-1.
Tech refocused and earned their first victory of the season at Thompson Field against No. 14 Pitt, 2-0, behind goals from Karlie Johnson and Tori Powell. In goal, freshman Alia Skinner made a season-high 12 saves to preserve the shutout, the first of her career.
The Hokies won four of their last five games in the fall season to qualify for the ACC Tournament Quarterfinals. Their stretch included wins over Navy (2-1), Wake Forest (4-3) and Boston College (3-0).
"We were very pleased with the growth of our team this past year," Tech head coach Chugger Adair said. "It was a very difficult year for many reasons, but our young group was able to get better each week and continue to find success, while playing one of the most difficult schedules in the country.
"We battled back after an 0-5 start, playing our first five games against five of the final eight teams left in the NCAA tournament. The start was a challenge for our group, not only the players, but the coaches as well. I am proud of the players and how they kept their chin up and believing that success would come as we continued to push forward."
In their match against Miami on October 15, Tech made history defeating the Canes 8-2 at Thompson Field, the most goals scored by an ACC club during the season. It was just the second time in program history the team had scored eight times, following a 9-0 win over VMI in 2004. The eight tallies were scored by seven different goal scorers, and Emily Gray provided four assists – the most in a single contest by a Virginia Tech player in program history.
In the spring portion of the season, Tech found their stride, winning each of their first three contests, scoring at least twice in each game against Charlotte, William & Mary and Liberty.
With an 8-8 record, the squad added a match against Auburn to the calendar in an effort to push for the postseason. That game ultimately went to the Tigers 4-1 at a neutral site, effectively ending the Hokies' season.
Kozlova ended up featuring in five games, scoring twice; once against Charlotte and again at Liberty.
Gray's 26 points scored on the season was the most since forward Murielle Tiernan scored 31 in 2015. Her 16 career assists now rank seventh all-time at VT.
"We are excited for this group to continue growing and developing to their potential in the next few years," Adair noted. "In addition to the success on the field, we had off-the-field success: from our 3.58 GPA for the spring semester to our numerous community service awards."
Below is a look at some individuals who had outstanding seasons for the squad.
Junior midfielder Emily Gray (9 goals, 8 assists)
•Finished fourth in the ACC in points (second in assists and fifth in goals)
•Provided a school record four assists in the win over Miami
•Named ACC Offensive Player of the Week Oct. 27
•Named Third Team All-ACC
•United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region Second Team
•VaSID All-State First Team
Freshman forward Tori Powell (7 goals, 4 assists)
•Led all ACC freshmen in points with 18
•ACC Offensive Player of the Week Nov. 3
•United Soccer Coaches Player of the Week Nov. 3
•Named to the ACC All-Freshman Team
•United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region Second Team
•VaSID All-State Second Team
Freshman goalie Alia Skinner
•Led the ACC with 83 saves this season, a total that ranked T-9 in school history for a single season
•She posted three shutouts, all in victories; vs. Pitt, at Boston College and vs. William & Mary
•Selected to U.S. Women's National Team U-20 Virtual Meetings