BLACKSBURG – Piling on goal after goal on Thursday night, the Virginia Tech women's soccer team remained perfect at home this season as the Hokies cruised to the 5-1 victory against Villanova at Thompson Field.
Five different goal scorers came through for Virginia Tech (5-2-0), which sported the 23-3 edge in total attempts and 12-1 margin in shots on target. Tech veterans Tori Powell, Emily Gray and Nicole Kozlova pushed the Hokies' lead to 3-0 before halftime while rookies Sophie Maltese and Aino Vuorinen tagged insurance goals late during the second half – both off assists by newcomer Emma Pelkowski.
Fifteen minutes in, Ava Veith punted her forwarding cross from Tech's defensive third beyond the midfield line to Powell, who took possession in stride and made her run towards the Wildcats' net. Pivoting for a centering cut within 15 yards of the goal line, Powell laced her right-footed attempt off the crossbar and down to put the Hokies on top early.
Gray bumped Tech's lead to 2-0 during the 28th minute, intercepting a Villanova pass in the backfield shortly before drilling her unassisted strike through the right post from inside the Hokies' 18-yard box. Less than four minutes later, Tech added its third goal of the opening half as Emmalee McCarter prepped Vuorinen for her right-to-left cross that was directed in by Kozlova's header.
Despite Villanova (5-1-0) earning a goal back from its leading scorer, Chloe O'Neill, during the 52nd minute, the Hokies managed to lock down their defending before tacking onto their lead twice during the final 10 minutes of regulation. Maltese cleaned up Pelkowski's rebound during the 84th minute while Vuorinen scooted in her wide-open ball for her first collegiate goal less than two minutes later.
Gabby Johnson picked up her first yellow card of the season during the 13th minute while the Wildcats were issued three cautions throughout the match.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will visit No. 12 South Carolina on Sunday, Sept. 12, at 5 p.m. Sunday's match will air live on SEC Network.Gallery: (9-9-2021) WSOC: 2021 Villanova Match