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Men's Soccer

Second half effort pushes No. 9 Hokies past No. 23 Cardinals

BLACKSBURG – An offensive explosion in the second half lifted No. 9 Virginia Tech above No. 23 Louisville, 4-2, at Thompson Field on Friday evening.
 
The high-scoring affair, which occurred in a wet Blacksburg, Va., featured six second half goals. Jacob Labovitz, Tech's (7-1-3, 3-1-1 ACC) leading goal scorer on the season, accounted for two of the Hokies' scores, followed by Pol Monells and Kahlil Dover. 
 
Neither team could find that last ball through in the first half, as the sides went into the break even at 0-0. It wasn't for a lack of chances, however, with Louisville (7-4, 3-2 ACC) firing off seven shots and Tech providing six of its own.
 
It didn't take long to get things going in the second period, as Labovitz headed in his 20th career goal for the Hokies off the cross from Kyle McDowell. Shortly after, Tech's lead doubled when Labovitz fired a shot into the roof of the net off a quick pass from Tyler Taber, who made his first appearance since the Sept. 6 match against Seton Hall.
 


 
Louisville did not bow down, though, and quickly made the game interesting again after capitalizing from a short corner kick that found the head of Bradley Sample in the 70th minute. 
 
Despite their attempts to force Virginia Tech on its heels, the Cardinals were caught out by a Sivert Haugli long ball that was nodded on by Dover to the path of Monells, who dribbled around the keeper and reestablished the Hokies two-goal lead. 
 


 
Dover put his name in the goal column, as well, after sweeping into the box and finishing a delicious cross from Monells in the 81st minute.
 


 
Despite conceding a second goal in the dwindling minutes, Matt Zambetti had a successful night stepping into goal for the second time this season, as he registered six saves.
 
Up next, the Hokies host Davidson on Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. in Blacksburg.

Gallery: (10-8-2021) MSOC: Louisville Match