Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Pitted against the top-ranked team in the nation, the Virginia Tech women's soccer team will look to protect Thompson Field on Friday, Oct. 15, when Tech squares off against No. 1 Florida State at 5 p.m. Friday's match between the Hokies and the Seminoles will air live on ACC Regional Sports Network affiliates.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
• Giant Killers: Virginia Tech is seeking its first-ever series victory against Florida State as the programs prepare to stage their 22nd all-time meeting. Historically, the Hokies are 2-7-1 against top-ranked opponents, having earned wins against North Carolina (2009) and Virginia (2013) while drawing with the Seminoles in 2015. Tech is looking to tarnish Florida's State's near-immaculate record since the beginning of the 2020 season; FSU has posted a 26-0-3 mark during its last 29 matches across all competitions, last slipping up to No. 7 UCLA during the 2019 NCAA quarterfinals. While the Hokies are equipped with nine goal scorers (led by senior midfielder Emily Gray's nine goals) and 16 point-earners, the Seminoles boast as diverse a scoring cast that features 17 point-earners – all of whom have found the back of the net this season. Virginia Tech will look to become the first squad this fall to tame the FSU attack that has scored three or more goals during 10 of their 13 matches.
• Powell Trickery: Sophomore striker Tori Powell etched her name in the Virginia Tech history book on Sunday at Wake Forest upon recording the program's 13th all-time hat trick. Powell's scoring plays were key to the Hokies remaining in their match against the Demon Deacons, despite Tech settling for the 4-3 defeat – its second in a row since compiling a six-match unbeaten streak. The second-year sensation has been an instrumental piece in Tech's three-pronged attack that includes her, Emily Gray and Nicole Kozlova. Together, the trio of Hokies has combined to net 23 of the team's 30 season goals and each rank individually among the top 12 ACC goal scorers. All but one of Tech's eight victories this fall include scoring contribution from Gray, Kozlova or Powell (Sept. 18 against North Carolina State).
• Home, Sweet Home: Virginia Tech enters Friday's match against Florida State unbeaten at home during the 2021 season (5-0-1). The Hokies have scored 18 goals at Thompson Field at a +15 goal differential and have yet to face a scoreboard deficit to an opponent while in Blacksburg. Since the start of the 2018 campaign, Tech is 9-5-2 during home ACC regular season matches that have counted toward the league standings.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will resume its three-match home stand on Thursday, Oct. 21, when Tech entertains Miami at Thompson Field. Kickoff between the Hokies and the Hurricanes is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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.
Campus parking on Oct. 15: Due to the Homecoming Parade, visitors to Virginia Tech's Blacksburg campus should be advised that Beamer Way will be shut down between Washington Street and Southgate Drive beginning at 6:30 p.m. Fans accessing Thompson Field are encouraged to access Lot 1 through the Washington Street entrance, which will remain open throughout the evening.