BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech women's soccer is set to host Syracuse on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 1:00 p.m. Sunday's match against Syracuse will air live on ACC Network Extra. Virginia Tech leads the series against the 'Cuse 6-2-1.
Sunday, October 23 – 1 p.m.
Thompson Field, Blacksburg, Va.
vs. Syracuse (8-6-2, 1-5-2)
Live Stats: CLICK HERE
Watch Live: CLICK HERE
• At Home (9-5-2, 3-4-1): Last time at home, the Hokies fell to No. 5 Notre Dame 1-0 on a free kick in the seventh minute. The Hokies made five shots on goal but were unable to find the net resulting in their first shutout loss of the season. Virginia Tech started the three-game home stretch with a tie against No. 13 Virginia on Oct. 13 in a 3-3 match. The Hokies start the second half ahead by one but quickly found themselves playing catch-up after giving up three goals. Taylor Bryan logged her first career brace in the final 10 minutes. The equalizer found the back of the net with only 39 seconds left in the game.
Earlier in the season, Tech defeated No. 3 North Carolina in a 2-1 match at Thompson Field. North Carolina held the lead at the half 1-0. The Taylor duo of Taylor Bryan and Taylor Price brought the game back for the Hokies in the final third as Taylor Bryan scored the equalizer in the 73rd minute. Tori Powell scored the game-winning goal in the 85th minute. Powell's goal earned her the title of ACC Co-Offensive Player of the Week.
• Syracuse (8-6-2, 1-5-2): Syracuse is looking for the first win since defeating Miami 3-1 on Sept. 25. The 'Cuse have been unable to claim a victory in their last seven matches having most recently been defeated by #20 Pitt 1-0. Despite their record, the "Cuse have a strong defensive game allowing no more than three goals against an ACC opponent this season. Syracuse lost to #3 Duke 1-0, #3 North Carolina 1-0, and tied #3 Virginia 2-2.
Tech's offense will need to play strong as Shea Vanderbosch is one of the top-ranked goalkeepers in the ACC. Vanderbosch leads the conference with a saving percentage of .821, saving 64 shots on goal in 15 games allowing only 14 balls to get past her. Syracuse is ranked third in the conference in overall saves (74) and 11th in goals allowed (21), one spot above Tech with 22 goals against.
•Looking Out For: Taylor Price scored her eighth goal of the season in a conference game against Virginia. Price is tied for fourth in the ACC for overall goals this season. Price was named to the College Soccer News Women's National Team of the Week after scoring the game-winning goal against No. 22 NC State 1-0. Four times this season Price has scored the first Hokie goal leading to a Virginia Tech victory.
Natalie Mitchell continues to lead the Hokies in shots with 48 in 16 games, ranked tied for eighth in the ACC. Mitchell continues to remain tied for second in the ACC with seven assists. Price and Mitchell were ranked in the top 15 of the TopDrawerSoccer.com Top 100 midseason list. Price was ranked fifth and Mitchell 11th.
Taylor Bryan has scored three goals this season against ranked teams, twice scoring the equalizing goal. Bryan was named the ACC Co-Offensive Player of the Week after scoring two goals against No. 13 Virginia in the final third. Tori Powell scored her fifth game-winning goal against No. 3 North Carolina (2-1) in the 85th minute of the match, her sixth goal of the season.
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 victories played against NC State and Wake Forest, playing the full 90 minutes in each.
•Watch Out: Chelsea Domond and Erin Flurey are tied with Mitchell in shots per game (3) among the ACC teams. Demond leads the Orange with five goals and five assists this season. Fluery is second in goals on the team having scored four goals for the 'Cuse.
Breast Cancer Awareness
• Virginia Tech women's soccer team will be wearing pink jerseys on Sunday in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Stick around after the game as the athletes will be available to sign autographs. Fans are limited to one item per person. Sunday's match is sponsored by Blue Ridge Dental.
UP NEXT
• The Hokies will travel to No. 4 Florida State (10-2-2) on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the final regular-season match of the season. The Hokies trail the away series against the Seminoles 0-7.
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