Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech used a 6-0 run in the first quarter to seize control of the contest and did not look back, as it posted an 18-6 victory over visiting Pitt in the ACC Tournament's first round on Sunday afternoon.
Sophomore Olivia Vergano got the Hokies on the board nearly five minutes in, followed swiftly by Ella Rishko and the duo would go on to produce 11 of the Hokies' 16 goals in the game. Rishko, a freshman from Rehoboth Beach, Del., scored seven.
After Pitt struck first, the Hokies went on to hold the Panthers scoreless for 21 minutes at which point the Hokies had found the net nine times and held a commanding advantage. Vergano secured 12 draw controls, helping the Hokies retain possession and continue to set up scoring opportunities.
Tech held an 11-3 advantage heading into the locker room.
In the third period, Pitt was the aggressors early, scoring two of the first three goals as they looked to chip away at the advantage. Tech would respond quickly with a woman-up goal from freshman Caroline Little that ignited a 3-0 spurt for the Hokies who pushed the lead out to double digits.
To close out the game late, Blair Guy recorded two goals in a 30-second span that gave the Hokies the 18-6 advantage that they would close the game with.
During the contest Vergano surpassed 100 draw controls for the season with her 103rd, one behind Sarah Gresham for the team lead. The Hokies are the only team in the nation to feature two athletes that have 100 or more.
Rishko's seven goals in a single game not only ties her career best, it also ties the mark for the most in an ACC Tournament game.
In cage, Jocelyn Torres played all 60 minutes, producing eight saves.
The Hokies held an edge in every statistical category, outshooting the Panthers 42-18, picking up five more ground balls and owning the draw circle 19-9.
Tech advances to the quarterfinal round on Wednesday, April 26 at 4 p.m. from American Legion Memorial Stadium. They will meet the second-seeded Syracuse Orange who last played on April 20 suffering their lone defeat of the season 17-16 against top-seeded Boston College.
Gallery: (4-23-2023) LAX: ACC First Round vs. Pitt