PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Virginia Tech men's soccer team fell, 2-1, in double overtime to No. 6 Pitt in the ACC Championship quartefinal on Sunday evening.
The Hokies (10-5-3, 3-4-1 ACC) suppressed the Panther's (11-4-1, 5-2-1 ACC) attack for most of the match after giving up a goal in the 5th minute to Valentin Noel. Ultimately, it was a Noel brace that sent Tech home in the 103rd minute.
On paper, the top-seeded Pitt side held a 10-4 advantage in shots on goal, however it seemed as if Virginia Tech's chances were perfectly timed to make it feel like any team's match.
Ben Martino made his mark on the fixture with eight saves, each one seeming to improve in skill as the tally mounted. The Pittsburgh native was quick off his line throughout the night, not allowing the Panthers to capitalize off any 50-50 balls played in on goal.
Perhaps the most impressive save of the night came in the dying moments of the first overtime period. A rocket from Jackson Walti from outside the 18-yard box was close to finding the upper corner, but Martino extended to his left and sent the shot over the bar.
Tech was able to hang on for most of the match thanks to the quick response goal from Kyle McDowell. In the 9th minute, Jacob Labovitz sent a ball across the box that eventually fell to the left foot of McDowell, who hammered the shot between the legs of the Pitt keeper, tying the score.
Pol Monells had the Hokies best effort to double their score when he sent a powerful shot off the crossbar in the 78thminute.
Sivert Haugli was placed into the starting lineup again following his red-card suspension in the first round. However, the captain picked up an injury and only contributed 45 minutes on the pitch.
The match maintained a physical nature that resulted in Danny Flores and McDowell also being subbed off due to injury, but both players returned.
Next, Virginia Tech shifts its focus to the NCAA Tournament and eyes a seeded spot in the field. The Hokies went 4-5-1 against their ACC opposition this season, along with an undefeated 6-0-2 record in non-conference play. Those slates combined for one of the toughest schedules in the country and included a win against No. 1 Marshall in August.