Tech comes out dry in season opener against Grand Canyon

PHOENIX, ARIZ. – Virginia Tech's season started in deflating fashion on Thursday night at Grand Canyon. Despite matching their opponent in shots and opportunities, the Hokies fell 1-0 to the Lopes in the season opener.
 
With a temperature still flirting with triple digits at the 7 p.m. kickoff, both sides spent the first 20 minutes exchanging possession without any clear chance or advantage. A shot from the right side of the box by Grand Canyon that sophomore keeper Ben Martino pushed off the crossbar was the wake-up call in the 20th minute that opened up the attack for both sides.
 
Tech had its biggest opportunity in the 38th minute when a pair of substitutes – Misei Yoshizawa and Ricki Vidal – teamed up to pickpocket a member of the Lopes' back line. Yoshizawa was able to lift the ball off the defender before playing a through ball to Vidal, who rifled a shot from the right side of the box. The shot had a chance at creeping into the far corner, but rolled left of the goal.
 
The Hokies started with their foot on the pedal following the halftime break and held possession up the field. In the 52nd minute, Danny Flores sent a free kick in a dangerous spot curling left, just missing the target. 
 
Grand Canyon's breakthrough came in the 61st minute when Cameron Weller flicked a ball backwards to a surging Clayton Duarte, who blasted the ball to the far-right corner of the goal.
 
With just under 30 minutes remaining, Virginia Tech continued to push forward. Throughout the rest of the match, several opportunities arrived with service on the wings from Kyle McDowell and Grant Howard. A late opportunity arose in the 89th minute when a ball rolled to Mayola Kinyua in the box, but a pair of Grand Canyon defenders threw their bodies in front of the shot.
 
When the final whistle blew, both teams finished with eight shots, including three on target.

NOTES

• William Cardona, Grant Howard, Ricki Vidal and Misei Yoshizawa made their debuts in maroon and orange for the Hokies.
• Jack Dearie made his first career start for Virginia Tech.
• The loss marked the Hokies' second defeat in a season opener since 2013.