Hokies open season with 4-3 win over the Tribe

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech's Tori Powell recorded a brace and Emma Pelkowski netted the game-winner to highlight a 4-3 come-from-behind win in the Hokies' season opener Thursday night against William & Mary at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field.

Tech (1-0) had 12 shots on goal against the Tribe (0-1), with back-to-back goals in the last eight minutes of the match to take the win. The Hokies' defense kept the Tribe down to only seven shots throughout the entire 90 minutes of play.

Powell slid in the Hokies' first goal of the season with a rebound assist from Natalie Mitchell. Powell out ran the Tribe defender to punch in the goal and tied the score 1-1.  

 With 21 minutes left in the first, Riley McCarthy passed the ball to Taylor Price in the goal line. Price scored her first regular-season goal with a spin kick into the net putting the Hokies in the lead, 2-1.

"Pleased to get a hard fought result on the road against William & Mary," said Virginia Tech head coach Chugger Adair. "The team shined in four goals, but squandered a number of other chances that would have allowed us to put the game away earlier. Congratulations go out to Tori, Taylor, and Emma for finding the back of the net for the team and freshmen Ella and Natalie with the assists." 

William & Mary put up a good fight with two goals in the last 11 minutes of the first half, sending the Hokies into the locker room down by one (3-2).
 
Closing in on the end of the game, Powell guided the ball to the back of the net with an assist from Ella Ciadullo inside the lines. Tech tied the score with 7:20 left in the game. Less than a minute later, Emma Pelkowski bounced the ball off the crossbar and into the net, scoring the game-winning goal.
 
Lauren Hargrove stepped onto the pitch with 10 minutes left in the first half, shutting down the Tribe the rest of the way. Hargrove helped secure the win, saving two shots on goal and allowing zero goals in the second half.
 
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will move on to its home opener on Sunday, Aug. 21, when the Hokies host Indiana at 12 p.m. Sunday is Tech's Welcome Home Hokies Match. The first 200 students with their P-card will receive a free Hokies T-shirt (or while supplies last). Fans are welcome to come early to enjoy shaved ice cones, lawn games, and photos with the HokieBird.
 Gallery: (8-18-2022) WSOC: William & Mary Match