BLACKSBURG – Riding back-to-back victories from last week, the unbeaten Virginia Tech women's soccer team will look to stay perfect during its season-opening home stand on Thursday, Aug. 26, when Tech entertains Elon for a 7 p.m. non-conference match at Thompson Field. Thursday's match between the Hokies and the Phoenix will air live on ACC Network Extra.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
• Out of the Gate: Virginia Tech is off to its eighth 2-0-0 start to a season under head coach Chugger Adair and has made it there in style, posting consecutive season-opening clean sheets for the fourth time during its program history. The Hokies are eyeing their fifth straight victory at Thompson Field dating back to the 2020-21 campaign, having last conceded at home on Oct. 24, 2020, against Navy – a stretch that spans more than 316 goalkeeping minutes. With goals scored during each of Tech's two victories this season, sophomore Tori Powell enters Thursday's match as the squad leader in points (five). Nicole Kozlova and Emma Pelkowski are also eager to add to their season goal tallies as the Hokies move into the second week of play.
• Scouting the Phoenix: Elon represents the second of eight opponents on Virginia Tech's 2021 schedule that advanced to the 2020 NCAA tournament (held during the spring of 2021). The Phoenix are coming off their first-ever CAA title, having shut out the league's North Division and South Division champions during the conference tournament to secure the postseason crown. Defensively sound, Elon is backed by second-year goalkeeper McKenna Dalfonso, who kept six clean sheets during the 2020-21 season, including four that led up to the NCAA tournament. Virginia Tech leads the all-time series, 3-0-0, in addition to sporting the +9 advantage in head-to-head goal differential.
• Ready, Set Pieces!: Tech charges into Thursday's non-conference match having scored three of its first four goals of the season off set pieces, including two off corners. The Hokies have won their fair share of corners to start the season, having accumulated 10 or more during consecutive matches for the first time since August 2017. Despite its healthy advantage in corners (+18), Tech is optimistic it can keep improving its execution off them as the season progresses. The Hokies are coming off their 1-0 victory against William & Mary in which they sported the 11-1 edge in corners. Emily Gray and Ava Veith have combined for two assists off corners this fall – one from each flag.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will travel to Cincinnati on Sunday, Aug. 29, for a 1 p.m. away kickoff against the Bearcats. Coverage will air live via ESPN+.
ON-CAMPUS PARKING UPDATE
Virginia Tech Parking Services has implemented a change to its on-campus parking policy to more effectively manage parking for the growing population of permit holders who engage in university activities after traditional business hours. Beginning August 2021, on-campus parking lots will be metered until 10 p.m. on weekdays, Monday through Friday. Visitors to Virginia Tech's Blacksburg campus will now need to pay to park on campus using one of three options:
- ParkMobile App (available here)
- Go online to purchase a daily parking permit
- Visit the Parking Services office at 505 Beamer Way between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. to purchase a daily permit
To learn more about campus parking, please click here. If anyone has questions, please email parking@vt.edu or call (540) 231-3200.