Newton, Mass. – Putting forth as much of its attack as possible for 110 minutes, the No. 11 Virginia Tech men's soccer team couldn't find a breakthrough, and ultimately settled for a goalless draw against Boston College.
With 16 shots and 12 corners, the Hokies (6-1-3, 2-1-1 ACC) didn't lack for optimism in their match against the Eagles (3-4-3, 0-2-2 ACC) on Friday night – the third consecutive ACC contest to go into extra time. However, the inability to grind out a fifth-straight win stemmed from Virginia Tech only putting three of those 16 shots on target.
Both halves in regulation followed a similar script, as both sides exchanged possession without putting together any real chances for the first 20 minutes. The latter portion of each half was spent with Tech moving forward and putting up opportunities, though none found the back of the net.
Virginia Tech's leading goal scorer Jacob Labovitz had the best opportunity of each half. In the first period, a Landon Ameres delivery from a corner found the head of Labovitz, but the Boston College keeper stretched out to push away the shot.
In the second half, Labovitz's tenacity led to the forward dispossessing an Eagles' defender and going one-on-one with the keeper but slotting the shot just wide of goal.
As time wound down, Boston College was able to see out the match into overtime.
In the Hokies' fifth fixture to reach extra time this season, Nick Blacklock found himself with a couple opportunities – twice lacing shots from near the edge of the box, but neither sending Tech home victorious.
For only the second time in 10 games, Virginia Tech was shutout. Taking away a positive from the match, freshman Ben Martino recorded his second-consecutive clean sheet and looked sturdy throughout the game.
Following a well-earned week break, the Hokies will return to action against No. 14 Louisville on Friday, Oct. 8 at 5 p.m. in Blacksburg.
