BLACKSBURG – Receiving its lone goal off the boot of rookie Emma Pelkowski on Sunday, the Virginia Tech women's soccer team capped its home regular season schedule in victory as the Hokies trumped Boston College, 1-0, at Thompson Field.
After racking up a goal and an assist during Thursday's win against Miami, Pelkowski came through again on Sunday for the Hokies, clicking in a four-yard finish during the 21st minute of play. With Emmalee McCarter and Allie George advancing Tech up the right sideline, Pelkowski called for the ball on her midfield run, beating BC keeper Wiebke Willebrandt to George's bouncing cross.
With the victory, Virginia Tech (10-5-2, 4-3-2 ACC) reached the 10-win plateau for the ninth time during head coach Chugger Adair's 11 seasons at the helm. Following Sunday's league results, the Hokies trimmed two points off their gap in the conference table behind Clemson, which currently occupies the sixth and final ACC tournament qualifying position.
Sophomore goalkeeper Alia Skinner made six saves against Boston College (7-9-1, 1-8-0 ACC) while earning her fifth clean sheet of the 2021 season. Three minutes after Tech had taken the lead, Skinner acted quickly to stifle consecutive BC attempts in the box that could have brought the Eagles level.
Tori Powell nearly put the Hokies ahead, 2-0, during the 37th minute when she was dragged down in the box following her give-and-go with Sophie Maltese. Despite the lack of a penalty call, Powell managed to play a right-footed attempt around Willebrandt that took three bounces wide of the right post.
Tech outshot BC, 15-11, while controlling the 8-6 advantage in attempts on target. The Hokies also yielded nine corners against the Eagles' three.
Aino Vuorinen drew her first caution of the season during the 59th minute, bumping knees with Johanna Barth on a challenge inside the right BC flag.
Prior to Sunday's kickoff, Virginia Tech recognized senior forward Karlie Johnson for her four-year dedication to the women's soccer program. Johnson was the sixth Tech senior to be honored across six special senior matches throughout the Hokies' home regular season schedule.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will visit Syracuse on Thursday, Oct. 28, for a 7 p.m. ACC finale against the Orange. To qualify for the 2021 ACC tournament on Thursday's matchday, the Hokies will require a win, a loss by Clemson and a loss or a draw by North Carolina.Gallery: (10-24-2021) WSOC: Boston College Match