GREENSBORO, N.C. – After weathering the attacking storm of two national top-five programs last week, Virginia Tech women's soccer goalkeeper Alia Skinner has been named the ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the league on Tuesday.
Skinner combined to make 22 saves while helping the Hokies earn consecutive ACC draws against No. 4 North Carolina (Sept. 23) and No. 2 Duke (Sept. 26). The sophomore keeper assured that Tech never trailed during its two toughest tests of the season, registering a .880 save percentage (22-of-25) while preserving the Hokies' unbeaten conference record.
On Thursday night in Chapel Hill, Skinner charted 14 saves to set the program's ACC-era record (since 2004), making nine consecutive saves from the opening whistle – including six during the first half. With Skinner standing her ground, the Hokies presented UNC its first two-goal deficit of the 2021 season and thwarted the host's 32-10 advantage in total attempts to earn the program's first-ever away point during series history.
Three days later, Skinner came through with eight saves to deliver Tech its 1-1 draw against the second-ranked Blue Devils. Fending off nine Duke corners, she kept the visitors scoreless for the final 70 minutes of play, including a half-hour stretch during which Tech was relegated to 10 women.
In addition to garnering ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Week consideration (her second career honor), Skinner was also named to the College Soccer News Women's National Team of the Week for her gritty defending against top-tier opposition.
After leading the ACC in total saves during the 2020-21 season, Skinner co-leads the conference this year in clean sheets (four) while ranking second in save percentage (.787). She also boasts the third highest goals against average (0.91) among the league's keepers.
Skinner and No. 19 Virginia Tech (7-2-2, 1-0-2 ACC) are back in action on Saturday, Oct. 2, when the Hokies visit Pittsburgh. Kickoff at Ambrose Urbanic Field is scheduled for 7 p.m.
