Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech ultimately fell in a back-and-forth battle with No. 7 Boston College on Saturday afternoon at Thompson Field, but a stellar four-goal performance from freshman Ella Rishko kept the Tech competitive throughout the afternoon.
Olivia Vergano had another solid showing for the Hokies, as she scored three goals, marking her fourth 3+ goal performance in the last five games. Paige Tyson added two to her season tally, including the opening goal for Tech. Hannah Mardiney, Blair Guy and Kayla Frank added a goal apiece, as well.
Rishko was one of several freshmen Hokies to contribute for Virginia Tech, as Sarah Gresham made her presence known in the circle with seven draw controls on the day. As a whole, Virginia Tech reeled in 14 draw controls, while the Eagles had 16. Lauren Render, a rookie from Powder Springs, Ga., assisted two goals for Tech, as well.
The Hokies were the first team on the board less than five minutes into the game when Tyson was able to shake a defender, drive to the cage and finish high. After Tech conceded three goals to end the first quarter then another at the beginning of the second quarter, Tyson doubled her scoring mark with the help of an assist from Vergano. That goal kick-started a 4-0 run for the Hokies that was part of a 7-2 period.
Rishko made her mark on the game in that second quarter, scoring three of her four goals in a 6:32 span during the quarter. Perhaps her most memorable contribution came in the dying moments of the first half when Tech was able to draw up a set after regaining possession with a little under a minute left in the period, courtesy of a Mary Griffin caused turnover. The Rehoboth Beach, Del. native was able to chew clock for 20 seconds before going into motion, flipping the ball to Vergano, who slotted it home with a rocket of a shot and sent Tech into the break with an 8-7 lead.
Virginia Tech came out of the break strong with Mardiney scoring just 45 seconds into the third quarter, but the Eagles responded with a 5-1 run to regain the lead in the third quarter. Frank took matters into her own hands through a solo effort with 1:25 remaining in the quarter to bring Tech back within one, 13-12.
The final quarter was the lowest scoring of them all, as Boston College scored two more then Vergano finished the scoring for the day with 46 seconds remaining – securing a hard-earned 14-12 win for the Eagles.
As has been the case all season, several of freshman Jocelyn Torres' seven saves were superb and kept the Hokies in the game all afternoon.
Virginia Tech will continue in ACC play on Saturday, April 1 at 1 p.m. in Durham, N.C. against Duke.
Gallery: (3-25-2023) LAX: Boston College Match