PITTSBURGH – Powered by senior Emily Gray's brace on Saturday night, the No. 19 Virginia Tech women's soccer team pulled out a late victory at Pittsburgh as the Hokies defeated the Panthers, 2-1, at Ambrose Urbanic Field.
Gray rushed Virginia Tech (8-2-2, 2-0-2 ACC) out to the 1-0 lead during the 15th minute and went on to calmly deliver the match-winning goal during the 83rd minute. The fourth-year midfielder sandwiched her team leading, eighth and ninth goals of the season around Ashton Gordon's penalty kick goal during the 64th minute.
With the Hokies threatening to break the ice by weighing down Pittsburgh (8-4-0, 1-3-0 ACC) inside its defensive third, Victoria Haugen fed a rolling ball ahead to the six-yard line on the right side, where Pitt goalkeeper Katherine Robinson slid into Nicole Kozlova's one-timer. Having drawn Robinson off her line, Kozlova played a quick touch behind to Gray, who found the top-netting with ease to put Tech on top.
Despite the Hokies holding the 8-6 edge in first half attempts, Tech allowed the Panthers to creep back into the match shortly after the hour mark. While defending the top of the box, Allie Lewis tangled her cleats with Athalie Palomo, drawing the penalty that prompted Pitt to equalize.
Locked in a 1-1 tie, the Hokies managed to break through during the final 10 minutes of regulation when Tori Powell connected with Gray atop the form. Powell threaded her right-to-left forwarding pass through three Panthers on its way to Gray, who beat Robinson one-on-one to complete her brace.
Tech finished the match even with Pitt, 14-14, in total attempts, though held the narrow, 7-5 lead in shots on target.
Averi Visage received her third yellow card of the season on her 24th-minute challenge while Avery Tharrington was cautioned for dissent after Pitt had been awarded its penalty kick.
With the win, Virginia Tech extended its unbeaten streak to six consecutive matches and achieved its first four-match unbeaten start to ACC play since the 2009 season.
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Virginia Tech will continue its three-match ACC road swing on Thursday, Oct. 7, at Clemson. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.Gallery: (10-3-2021) WSOC: 2021 Match at Pitt