BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech women's soccer has had a long record of success under head coach Chugger Adair, receiving ninth berths into the NCAA Tournament since 2011.
Taking over the reigns in 2011, coach Adair has sustained a high level of success, with one of the highlights coming Thursday night in a 3-0 shutout over James Madison. By defeating the Dukes, the Hokies achieved their 150th win under Chugger Adair.
One hundred and 50 wins is an impressive resume, but there are five games that stand out above them all and highlight Tech's rise on the pitch.
Chugger Adair's First Victory at Virginia Tech: Aug. 19, 2011 vs. UNC Greensboro (4-0)
Under the direction of first-year head coach Chugger Adair, the Hokies would soon rise to power all the way up towards not only the top of the ACC, but on the national scene, too.
It started with a 4-0 blanking of UNC Greensboro in the 2011 season opener at UNCG Soccer Stadium.
Tech got off to a hot start as junior midfielder Kelly Conheeney drilled a penalty kick in the 43rd minute, logging the first goal of the Adair era. Tech would add one more later down the line to lead the way for the Hokies in a four-score thrashing of the Spartans in Greensboro.
Both Anne Lumpkin and Kelsey Loupee also found the back of the net in the cruising victory, making a statement early on in what would become another Sweet Sixteen season for the maroon and orange.
Hokies Head To The College Cup: Nov. 29, 2013 vs. Duke (3-0)
In what could still be considered the biggest win in Tech women's soccer history, the No. 4 Hokies were tasked with putting together one more victory to advance to their first College Cup in the program's history. And in doing so, they left no doubt.
Tech emphatically took down upset-minded Duke in the Elite Eight in late November at Thompson Field, prompting the maroon and orange to advance to the mecca of collegiate women's soccer in Cary, North Carolina to compete for a national championship.
The Hokies never trailed in this one. A Katie Yensen goal with just eight seconds remaining in the first half gave Tech the early 1-0 advantage, and Tech was able to tack on from there. Shannon Mayrose's 64th-minute strike and Jazmine Reeves' 81st-minute score sealed the deal for the Hokies, sending Adair's team to Cary and erasing the Blue Devils from the tournament equation, 3-0, in Blacksburg.
Program Win No. 200 - Aug. 24, 2014: Davidson (4-0)
Capitalizing on more program success, it took just two games in 2014 for the Hokies to reach the program's 200th win, taking down Davidson in the Charlotte suburbs in a resounding 4-0 victory.
Three first-half goals for Tech gave the maroon and orange a 3-0 halftime advantage that was going to be hard to relinquish. And in the second period of play, there was no threat for that to take place with Bria Dixon striking the net to finish off the Wildcats in a 4-0 demolition at Alumni Stadium.
The win gave the Hokies a clear glimpse at their identity for the 2014 campaign, a year in which they would qualify for yet another Sweet Sixteen. A regular, yet impressive occurrence for Adair's program at this point in time.
Win Over No. 6 Virginia: Sept. 27, 2018 (1-0)
Underneath the lights at a dreary Thompson Field in late September back in 2018, Virginia Tech had quite the opportunity on their hands with No. 6 Virginia coming to town.
Seeking its first victory over the rival Cavaliers since 2013, Tech got out to an early start.
A Jordan Hemmen net-finder headed in off an Emily Gray assist turned out to be the difference maker in the Hokies' slim 1-0 win. And with the help of Mandy McGlynn and her six saves on the day, VT was able to hold the 'Hoos scoreless for just the second time that season en route to one of the bigger regular season victories in program history.
What a surprise, another Sweet Sixteen appearance was on-tap later that season. A truly spectacular feat for Adair and company that has a direct reflection on Tech's growth on the pitch.
Win Over No. 3 North Carolina: Oct. 1, 2022 (2-1)
Having not gotten the best of the always-potent North Carolina in the last 13 tries, Tech desperately needed a victory over the Tar Heels to prove that the program remains one of the best that the ACC has to offer. Turns out, mission accomplished.
Having endured the program's best start in recent memory, the Hokies welcomed in the third-ranked Tar Heels having not taken them down since 2011. And after trailing for the majority of the contest, it looked like Saturday evening would go no different.
A Taylor Bryan 72nd-minute equalizer would prove otherwise. And with just under six minutes remaining in the contest, Tori Powell broke away from the Carolina defense, finding the back of the net in the 84th minute to put Tech in front for good and steer the hosts to a 2-1 upset over UNC.
The win at Thompson Field marked one of the biggest ever in Tech history.