Tech welcomes Mercer to Thompson Field on Monday eveningTech welcomes Mercer to Thompson Field on Monday evening
Men's Soccer

Tech welcomes Mercer to Thompson Field on Monday evening

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BLACKSBURG – After a handful of frustrating matches to start the season, Virginia Tech looks to get firing on all cylinders against Mercer on Monday evening. The contest will mark the Hokies' third match against a 2021 NCAA Tournament team through four games.
 
MATCH DETAILS
Date & Time: Monday, Sept. 5 | 5 p.m.
Location: Thompson Field (Blacksburg, Va.)
Stream: ACCNX
Stats: Here
 

THE SERIES

  • Virginia Tech and Mercer will meet for the second time ever and the first time since 2003.
  • The Hokies came away from the first meeting victorious, as they downed the Bears, 2-1, on Aug. 31, 2003 in Radford, Va.

A WIN WOULD...

  • Be Mike Brizendine's 100th career win as head coach of Virginia Tech.
  • Be Virginia Tech's ninth-straight non-conference regular season result at home. Tech last fell to a non-conference opponent at Thompson Field on Oct. 2, 2018.

LAST TIME OUT

  • The Hokies played to a 0-0 draw with NRV foe Radford on Friday evening.
  • Despite dominating in possession and opportunities, Virginia Tech was still unable to record its first goal of the season. Tech had a season-high 12 shots, with five landing on target.
  • Ricki Vidal and Nick Blacklock made their first starts of the season.


STRONG AT THE BACK

  • Through three games, Virginia Tech has only conceded two goals. Both of those goals came in the second half of games at (RV) Grand Canyon and No. 23 UCLA.
  • Sophomore Ben Martino has been in great form to start his second year. In his freshman season, Martino gained national recognition after being named to the Top Drawer Soccer Freshman Best XI second team and No. 20 in Top Drawer's Top 100 Freshman rankings.
  • Tech's back line features plenty of experience between junior center backs Jack Dearie and Welnilton Jr., along with fifth-year outside backs Cameron Joice and Kyle McDowell. Freshman Grant Howard, who has experience in the USL Championship with Atlanta United 2, has featured when the Hokies assume five at the back. 

TOUGH SCHEDULE

  • The Hokies have nine NCAA Tournament teams from 2021 on their schedule this season. Three of Tech's first four games are against tournament teams with Radford being the exception.