RICHMOND, Va. – Courtesy of three goals apiece from Hannah Mardiney and Paige Tyson, along with a nine-save performance from Jocelyn Torres, Virginia Tech earned a 14-8 win over VCU on Saturday afternoon. The win marked Tech lacrosse's 200th victory in program history.
The Hokies used five goals in the second quarter to separate from a feisty Rams side to earn its fourth opening day win in the last five seasons.
VCU struck first, but Olivia Vergano answered quickly with the team's first goal of the season at the 8:49 mark in the first quarter. After the Rams gathered the lead back, Tech went on a 4-0 run courtesy of goals from Mardiney (2), Tyson and Kayla Frank. Once they obtained this 5-2 lead, the Hokies' advantage never got below two goals for the remainder of the contest.
Mardiney added another before the half, along with Blair Guy and Tyson again, to wrap up a hat trick and send Tech into halftime with an 8-3 lead.
VCU came out of the break hot– netting three goals to start the second half.
Again, the Hokies responded with four unanswered goals. It was Paige Tyson's turn to secure a hat trick, while Claire Schotta got on the board with two goals and Kayla Frank added a second.
Ella Rishko joined in on the scoring, as well, to end the day with two goals.
With impressive contributions from Rishko and Torres, Sarah Gresham was another freshman that made her presence known in Saturday's game. Leading Tech into the first draw, Gresham brought in six draw controls.
Gallery: (2-11-2023) LAX: 2023 Opener at VCU
