Hokies, No. 20 Blue Devils set for Saturday showdownHokies, No. 20 Blue Devils set for Saturday showdown
Lacrosse

Hokies, No. 20 Blue Devils set for Saturday showdown

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BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech, which is in search of a marquee ACC win following a narrow top-10 loss, travels to Durham, N.C. on Saturday afternoon for a meeting with No. 20 Duke. 
 Durham, N.C. 1 p.m. ET ACCNX | Live Stats 

NEWS & NOTES


THE SERIES

  • Virginia Tech is 3-23 all-time against Duke in a series that dates back to April 15, 1997.
  • All three of Tech's wins against the Blue Devils came in consecutive fashion between the 2017 and 2018 seasons, culminating with the Hokies' first ACC Tournament victory on April 26, 2018.
  • Although the last four meetings have favored Duke, two of those contests have been decided by only one goal.
  • The Hokies were 0-3 against Duke in three meetings between 2005 and 2007 when Kristen Skiera played for the Blue Devils.

A WIN WOULD...

  • Be Virginia Tech's second ACC win of the season.
  • Be Virginia Tech's first ranked win of the season.
  • Be Virginia Tech's first ACC road win since defeating Pitt on March 5, 2022.

LAST TIME OUT

  • Virginia Tech fell to No. 7 Boston College last Saturday, 14-12, in a showing that reminded onlookers that Tech is still a force to be reckoned with in ACC play.
  • Freshman Ella Rishko scored four goals and provided an assist, extending her goal-scoring streak to six consecutive games. Sophomore Olivia Vergano had her third consecutive game with 3+ goals.
  • The Hokies, who led 8-7 at halftime, nearly matched the Eagles in draw controls (16-14) and turnovers (13-15). 
  • Tech's loss was its third by four-or-less goals against a top-12 opponent.

SKIERA'S RETURN TO DURHAM

  • Head coach Kristen Skiera will face Duke for the second time in her head-coaching career on Saturday and for the first time in Durham, N.C.
  • The Hokies nearly upset No. 7 Duke in Blacksburg last season, falling 15-14, on April 7, 2022.
  • Skiera, who often cites Duke coach Kerstin Kimel as her primary mentor, ranks third all-time in points at Duke with 277. She returned to serve as an assistant coach for Duke in 2013 and 2014.