Hokie ClubRALEIGH, N.C. – A battle of ranked teams ended in a 3-3 draw on Monday afternoon, as No. 10 Virginia Tech settled for a point against No. 20 Seton Hall in the George Tarantini Classic.
The Hokies (2-0-2, 0-0 ACC) struck first, as Pol Monells lobbed a half-volley over the Pirates' (2-0-2, 0-0 Big East) goalkeeper in the 5th minute. The goal marked Monells' first goal in a Virginia Tech uniform.
Seton Hall equalized the match as halftime approached, converting an opportunity in the 40th minute.
The scoring for the first period was not finished, however. Conor Pugh continued the trend of first-time goal scorers for Tech in the 43rd minute, slotting home a header that was delivered off a cross by Cameron Joice.
Tech seemed to be cruising in the second half, as Landon Ameres rifled home an attempt from outside the box to put the Hokies up 3-1.
Despite the two-goal margin, Seton Hall battled its way back into the match. Creating havoc in the box was the specialty of the Pirates all day, and it produced two goals in the 67th and 74th minute.
That late rally was enough to bring the game into extra time, where the teams exchanged opportunities, but neither found the breakthrough that would end the match.
Through four games, the Hokies sit unbeaten after playing all neutral site games and facing two ranked teams.
Up next, the Virginia Tech opens its conference slate on the road against Duke on Saturday, Sept. 11.