BLACKSBURG – Scoring early and often during Friday's NCAA tournament opener at Thompson Field, the Virginia Tech women's soccer team managed to hold serve at home and knock off Ohio State, 3-1, advancing to the second round for the sixth time under head coach Chugger Adair (seventh time overall).
After leading all ACC midfielders in scoring during the regular season, senior Emily Gray wasted little time striking first for Virginia Tech (12-5-2), burying her 10-yard, right-to-left ball while sliding to the ground during the 12th minute. In the moment, Gray moved into sole possession of second place on the Hokies' all-time points list, ending the night with 78 career points.
Home-team veterans Emmalee McCarter and Nicole Kozlova picked up assists on Gray's team leading, 12th goal of the season. Upon setting the table for her teammate, McCarter proudly extended her point streak to three consecutive matches.
Despite dominating first half possession to the tune of 12 attempts (nine on target), Tech conceded the equalizer to Ohio State (9-9-2), 61 seconds after the intermission. With the Buckeyes harassing the Hokies through the midfield, Tech coughed up control, leading to Izzy Rodriguez's open cross that found the charging Emma Sears in the box.
Deadlocked at a goal apiece midway through the second half, McCarter nearly delivered Tech the lead when she took aim from the top of the 18-yard box. Though McCarter's screamer floated inches high of the crossbar, the Hokies were knocking on the door and ready to capitalize on their next trip down the pitch.
Sure enough, Tori Powell succeeded in giving Tech the lead during the 68th minute, redirecting Emma Pelkowski's dribbling pass through from atop the six-yard box. Victoria Haugen had cued up the Hokies' second goal of the night, sending in a dangerous ball from deep along the right end line.
Weathering down Ohio State, Emma Steigerwald upped Tech's goal count to three during the 84th minute. Less than two minutes after entering as a late-match reserve, the senior defensive back one-timed Gray's centering pass along the six-yard line to clinch the Hokies' first NCAA tournament victory since 2018.
Virginia Tech combined to direct 13 of its 19 attempts on target while keeping the Buckeyes to nine attempts, five of which landed on target. Alia Skinner's four saves for the Hokies were overshadowed by Bailey Kolinski's 10.
Tech improved to 7-5-0 during the opening round of the NCAA tournament and 6-2-1 when competing in NCAA tournament matches at Thompson Field (spanning all rounds). Under Adair, the Hokies are now 11-7-1 all-time during the event.
UP NEXT
With the victory, Virginia Tech will depart Blacksburg for Arkansas, where the Hokies will have a date in the NCAA second round against the No. 7 Razorbacks – the No. 2 seed in Rutgers' quarter of the draw – on Friday, Nov. 19. Kickoff time at Razorback Field will be announced during the coming days.
Gallery: (11-12-2021) WSOC: 2021 NCAA Championship First Round vs. Ohio State