BLACKSBURG – Posting three goals during its regular-season opener on Thursday night, the Virginia Tech women's soccer team began its 2021 campaign in convincing fashion as the Hokies doused Liberty, 3-0, at Thompson Field.
Staying fresh through a 64-minute weather delay, Virginia Tech (1-0-0) improved to 10-1-0 all-time against the Flames by staging a fine attacking display. The Hokies racked up the 17-7 advantage in total attempts (9-2 on target) and 10-2 edge in corners, controlling 58 percent of the total possession.
Celebrating her Senior Night – the first of six matches this fall devoted to honoring one member of Tech's 2021 senior class – Nicole Kozlova dramatically netted the Hokies' first goal of the new campaign.
With Tech advancing during the 19th minute, Victoria Haugen and Tori Powell provided the tic-tac-toe passing that found Kozlova in the heart of the box between two Flames defenders. Stopping to switch feet from 12 yards away, Kozlova tucked her right-to-left rolling shot inside the left post to put the Hokies in front early.
Four minutes into the second half, Tech turned a 25-yard set piece into its second goal of the evening. After Emily Gray's free kick had been saved into the crossbar, rookie Emma Pelkowski charged at the right post, heading in the rebound for her first collegiate goal.
Nursing a 2-0 lead at the hour mark, Gray sent in the corner from the left flag that took two headers off Averi Visage and Tori Powell on its way through during the 61st minute.
Sophomore goalkeeper Alia Skinner made two saves against Liberty (0-1-0) while keeping her third career clean sheet (first since Nov. 1, 2020, against Boston College).
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Virginia Tech will continue its season-opening home stand on Sunday, Aug. 22, when the Hokies entertain William & Mary at 4 p.m. Sunday is Tech's Welcome Back to Blacksburg Match, during which all early-arriving students will receive free Hokies T-shirts (while supplies last).Gallery: (8-19-2021) 2021 WOMEN'S SOCCER OPENER vs. LIBERTY