BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech women's soccer team travels back to Blacksburg to take on No. 13 Virginia on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 8:00 p.m. Thursday's match against Virginia will air live on ACC Network. Virginia Tech trails the home series against Virginia 2-6.
Thursday, October 13 – 8pm
Thompson Field, Blacksburg, Va.
vs. Virginia (10-2-2, 3-2-1)
Live Stats: CLICK HERE
Watch Live: CLICK HERE
• Against Those Who are Ranked (9-4-1, 3-3): In their last home match against #3 North Carolina, Virginia Tech upset the Tar Heels 2-1. North Carolina held the lead at the half 1-0 while keeping the Hokies down to one shot in the first 45 minutes. Tech turned the tide in the last remaining third of the match as Taylor Bryan scored her second goal of the season in the 73rd minute. Tori Powell sealed the deal for the Hokies scoring the game-winning goal in the 85th minute. Powell's goal earned her the title of ACC Co-Offensive Player of the Week.
Earlier this season, Tech upset No. 22 NC State Wolfpack in Raleigh with a 1-0 victory. Taylor Price scored the game-winning shot against the Wolfpack with an assist from Natalie Mitchell in the 62nd minute. Lauren Hargrove blocked the Wolfpacks' single shot on goal to record her fourth clean sheet of the season.
• No. 13 Cavaliers (10-2-2, 3-2-1): Virginia returns to the pitch after a 1-0 loss against #3 Florida State at home last Thursday, Oct. 6. Despite having a 21-6 shot advantage, the Cavaliers were unable to score after the Seminoles took the lead in the first minute of the match. The Cavaliers have faced two shutout losses this season, the first being against #18 Notre Dame 1-0. Virginia most recently played against Syracuse on Sunday ending in a tie 2-2. Syracuse earned the first goal of the game in the second minute of the match. Virginia took over the lead with 27 minutes left in the game but gave up the equalizer to Syracuse in the 89th minute. Virginia's scoring offense is ranked 14th in the NCAA, averaging 2.50 goals per game. In goals against, the Cavaliers are ranked tied for 12th averaging .500.
•Keep Your Eyes On: Taylor Price scored her seventh goal of the season in a conference game against Clemson on Sunday. Price is ranked tied for sixth in the ACC for goals this season, right behind Haley Hopkins from Virginia tied for third with eight goals. Price was named to the College Soccer News Women's National Team of the Week after scoring the game-winning goal against #22 NC State 1-0. Price has scored the first Hokie goal four times this season in the last 14 games, each leading to a Virginia Tech victory. Tori Powell scored her fifth game-winning goal against #3 North Carolina (2-1) in the 85th minute of the match, her sixth goal of the season.
Natalie Mitchell continues to lead the Hokies in shots with 43 in 14 games, tied for seventh in the ACC. Mitchell is also tied for first in the ACC with seven assists. Earlier this season, Victoria Haugen was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Week. Haugen was a key part of the Hokies success in both shutout victory matches played against NC State and Wake Forest playing the full 90 minutes in each. Natalie Mitchell continues to lead the Hokies in shots with 41 in 11 games, tied for fifth in the ACC. Mitchell is also tied for second in the ACC with six assists. Goalkeeper Lauren Hargrove has recorded five clean sheets with 38 saves. Hargrove is third in the conference with five shutouts.
•Watch Out: Haley Hopkins leads the Cavaliers this season with eight goals and two assists. Hopkins is ranked third in the ACC for both goals and shots (50). Lia Godfrey is second in scoring on the team with five goals and three assists. Tied with Virginia Tech's, Natalie Mitchell, Maggie Cagle has recorded seven assists this season. The Cavaliers Goalkeeper, Cayla White has allowed only seven goals this season ranking her first in the conference with a save percentage of .833.
• Shots: Virginia Tech has taken 232 shots this season while holding opponents down to 126 shots. Virginia is closely matched with 247 shots and 35 goals. The Hokies average 16.5 shots per game, compared to the Tar Heels averaging 17.6.
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/.
UP NEXT
• The Hokies will host Notre Dame (11-2-0) at Thompson Field on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 7:00 p.m. The Hokies lead the overall series against Notre Dame 4-3-1.
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