BLACKSBURG – Rewarded with a home NCAA tournament match, the Virginia Tech women's soccer team will open its run at a national championship on Friday, Nov. 12, when Tech hosts Ohio State during first round action at Thompson Field (6 p.m.). Friday's match between the Hokies and the Buckeyes will air live on ACC Network Extra.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets to Friday's NCAA tournament match are available for cash-only purchase outside Thompson Field. For the general public, tickets are available for $10 while fans ages 18 and under may purchase tickets for $5. Additionally, the first 500 Tech students will receive free admission upon displaying their valid Hokie Passport.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
• Tourney Time: After vaulting to No. 29 in the RPI and to No. 47 in strength of schedule, Virginia Tech earned one of nine ACC bids to the 2021 NCAA tournament – the program's 12th all-time berth and its third within the last four seasons (2018, 2019). The Hokies' 2021 tournament appearance marks their eighth under the leadership of head coach Chugger Adair, who has led Tech to a 10-7-1 record within the event. Virginia Tech is 6-5-0 all-time during the opening round of the NCAA tournament (3-2-0 during such matches at home), advancing out of the first round during four of their last five postseason appearances. Six current Hokies carry NCAA tournament experience into Friday's match: Emily Gray, Calista Heister, Nicole Kozlova, Karlie Johnson, Emmalee McCarter and Emma Steigerwald. Gray is the lone active Tech player to have recorded a point, having assisted on Jordan Hemmen's match-winning goal during double overtime of the Hokies' 2018 second round, neutral-site match against Arkansas.
• We Meet Again: Friday's NCAA tournament opener between Virginia Tech and Ohio State will mark the second such postseason meeting between the programs, following their 2015 second round match at Penn State's Jeffrey Field. Despite the 14th-ranked Hokies amassing the 20-5 advantage in total attempts that day, Tech conceded the lone goal of the match during the 79th minute, exiting the field courtesy of its 1-0 defeat to the Buckeyes. Entering Friday, the Hokies trail the all-time series against Ohio State, 3-1-0, having earned their only victory on the road in August 2014. Tech is 5-2-1 all-time during home NCAA tournament matches, having rattled off four wins in Blacksburg during its run to the 2013 College Cup – the program's deepest postseason finish to date.
• Why Not Us?: Virginia Tech is led by its 2021 All-ACC Second Team midfielder, Emily Gray, who enters Friday's NCAA tournament opener tied with Kelly Conheeney for second place on the program's all-time points list (75). Gray paced all ACC midfielders in points during the 2021 regular season, compiling 11 goals and seven assists – the sixth best single-season recorded at Tech. Behind Gray, Nicole Kozlova and Tori Powell have combined to net seven goals apiece for the Hokies while wing midfielders Emma Pelkowski and Emmalee McCarter have registered five and three points, respectively, across Tech's final three regular season matches. Sophomore goalkeeper Alia Skinner anchors the Hokies between the posts, carrying five clean sheets into the postseason and 19 career victories (tied for the fourth most all-time among Tech keepers).
UP NEXT
Friday's winner between Virginia Tech and Ohio State will advance to the second and third rounds of the NCAA tournament, which will take place on Friday, Nov. 19, and Sunday, Nov. 21, respectively. The right to host the second and third rounds will be awarded to the program within the next four-team pod of the bracket that possesses the highest tournament seed.
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.