BLACKSBURG – For the second time this season at home it took the No. 12 Hokies more than 90 minutes to settle the score, but Virginia Tech ultimately reigned supreme over Notre Dame in extra time, 2-1.
Neither team could find a breakthrough in the first 45 minutes, although the visiting Fighting Irish pushed the envelope with seven shots in the first half.
It was Tech that struck first in the second half, however, with a familiar name reemerging on the scoresheet.
Determined skills on the ball by Landon Ameres resulted into a ball played to the feet of Jacob Labovitz, which he turned onto his left foot and rifled into the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season.
𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗢 𝗗𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 😎
— Virginia Tech Men's Soccer (@HokiesMSoccer) September 25, 2021
📊 » https://t.co/9JlyLxVqeg
📺 » https://t.co/i76z6YSQqi#Hokies 🦃 pic.twitter.com/syxSHaBAqH
Less than 30 seconds of game clock later, Notre Dame equalized.
Goalkeeper Ben Martino rushed out to deter a ball from an attacker's feet, but took out the Fighting Irish player in doing so, resulting in a penalty that was buried by Philip Quinton.
For the remainder of regulation, the Hokies had the advantage in shots, but failed to capitalize.
As a result, the Tech found itself in an overtime affair for the fourth time this season. And for the second time in a seven-day span, the Hokies left the match victorious.
Notre Dame attempted to steal it early, but defender Welnilton da Silva Jr. came sweeping in with a goal line clearance to prolong the match.
With a minute remaining in the first overtime period, Danny Flores utilized some crafty footwork to circumvent what seemed to be half the Notre Dame squad and slotted in the match winning goal.
𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗬 𝗙𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗦, 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗕𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗗 𝗠𝗔𝗡 🤩
— Virginia Tech Men's Soccer (@HokiesMSoccer) September 25, 2021
Virginia Tech walks it off, 2-1!#Hokies 🦃 pic.twitter.com/wOUf2ftIGY
The goal represented Flores' first of his career at Virginia Tech.
Up next, the Hokies host ETSU at Thompson Field on Tuesday night, representing the first back to back home matches of the season.Gallery: (9-24-2021) MSOC: Notre Dame Match