BLACKSBURG – In search of a breakthrough performance to get the team establish, Virginia Tech travels to Charlottesville, Va. for a Friday evening fixture against Virginia.
MATCH DETAILS
Date: Friday, Sept. 9
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Klöckner Stadium (Charlottesville, Va.)
Stats: Here
Watch: ACC Network
THE SERIES
- In a series that has been dominated by Virginia for most of its 47-year history, the Hokies have held their own in recent times.
- Despite the Cavaliers holding a 33-4-6 all-time edge, Tech has claimed two of the last three matchups.
A WIN WOULD...
- Be Mike Brizendine's 100th career win as head coach of the Hokies.
- Be Virginia Tech's second win in its last three trips to Charlottesville.
- Mark the second time that the Hokies have won back-to-back matches against the Cavaliers (2005).
- Keep Virginia Tech from going winless in its first five games for the first time since 1984.
LAST TIME OUT
- Amidst a torrential downpour in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech fell to Mercer, 3-2.
- Despite heading into the break with a 2-1 lead, courtesy of goals from Danny Flores and Misei Yoshizawa, Virginia Tech conceded two second-half goals to drop its third match of the season.
- The defeat marked the Hokies' first non-conference loss at Thompson Field since Oct. 2, 2018 (South Carolina).
- It was the first time Tech dropped a match that it led at the half since Sept. 20, 2019 (Louisville).
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.
- All three of Virginia Tech's losses to start the season have come at the hands of 2021 NCAA Tournament teams.
- Virginia Tech is one of five teams in the country (Rhode Island, Seattle, UC Irvine and Air Force) to play its first two games of the season on the road against teams either ranked or receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll.
ACC OPENERS
- The Hokies are 4-11-3 in ACC openers since they joined the league in 2004.
- Tech is 1-8-1 when opening conference play on the road since 2004.
- The Hokies are 0-1-1 against Virginia in ACC openers.
COMMONWEALTH CLASH
- Smithfield, the presenting sponsor of the Commonwealth Clash, enters its second year sponsoring the friendly, statewide rivalry between Virginia Tech and Virginia. With 22 individual event points on the line, the school that accumulates 11.5 or more points is crowned the winner and takes home the Commonwealth Clash trophy. For more information, visit https://smithfield.sfdbrands.com/en-us/promotions/commonwealth-clash-2022/.