Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – In front of a packed Thompson Field crowd of more than 1,200 supporters on Sunday, the Virginia Tech women's soccer team came through with its second straight win of the season as the Hokies bested William & Mary, 1-0.
With both teams scoreless at halftime, Tori Powell assured Virginia Tech (2-0-0) a quick start to the second half, delivering the ultimate match-winning header off a set piece that was staged during the 50th minute.
Ava Veith collected the assist on Powell's second goal of the season (ninth career goal), curling her corner from the right flag short to the near post. There, Powell timed her jump to perfection, brushing Veith's ball high and over the porous line of Tribe defenders.
Upon Powell and Veith connecting, the Hokies have now scored three of their first four goals of the season off set pieces.
William & Mary (1-1-0) foiled Tech's bids at insurance as the Hokies were unable to capitalize more from their 11-1 advantage in total corners. Seven of Tech's corners were awarded during the second half while the Hokies were successful in defending the lone Tribe corner they faced inside the final 15 minutes of regulation.
Sophomore goalkeeper Alia Skinner kept her second consecutive clean sheet of the 2021 season, registering four saves from nine shots faced. Skinner and Tech have yet to concede at home since Oct. 24, 2020, against Navy – a streak that now spans more than 316 goalkeeping minutes.
Three days after scoring her first career goal, freshman Emma Pelkowski accounted for two of the Hokies' six shots on target on Sunday. Tech finished the day with the 14-9 advantage in total attempts.
Prior to the match, the Hokies recognized senior goalkeeper S.A. Phillips for her contributions to the Virginia Tech women's soccer program.
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Virginia Tech will complete its three-match, season-opening home stand on Thursday, Aug. 26, with a 7 p.m. non-conference match against Elon.Gallery: (8-22-2021) 2021 WOMEN'S SOCCER vs. WILLIAM & MARY