BLACKSBURG – Making its preseason debut at Thompson Field on Sunday, the Virginia Tech women's soccer team took a strong first step out of the gate as the Hokies shut out Loyola, 2-0, across 100 minutes of match time.
Tori Powell factored into Tech's two goals, helping the Hokies cash in a pair of opportunities shortly after the hour mark. Streaking up the left flank during the 61st minute, Powell toed the end line before splitting two Greyhounds with her centering pass to Emily Gray, who one-timed her left-footed strike for the go-ahead tally.
Two minutes later, Holly Rose Weber capitalized on a Loyola turnover deep in its defensive third, earning the assist on Powell's touch through the net.
Tech's defensive corps iced the Hokies' 2-0 result, keeping a clean sheet through both 40-minute halves and the pre-scheduled, 20-minute extra period.
Statistics from preseason matches do not carry over into the formal NCAA season, which will start for Tech on Thursday, Aug. 19, against Liberty.
The Hokies will close their preseason schedule on Thursday, Aug. 12, when Virginia Tech squares off against Richmond at 5 p.m. Thompson Field is currently operating at 100 percent capacity and admission to all home matches – including exhibitions – is free.
Two goals and a clean sheet:@CoachChugger and @TorPowell break down the #Hokies' first preseason affair of the season. 🦃⚽️
— Virginia Tech Women's Soccer (@HokiesWSoccer) August 8, 2021
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