BLACKSBURG – After falling behind early, Virginia Tech rattled off seven unanswered goals in the second quarter to push the Hokies to a 17-7 victory over Elon on Wednesday afternoon.
Olivia Vergano led the Hokies in scoring with four goals, while a three-goal, four-assist effort from Kayla Downey that paced the field in points with seven. Four points apiece for Claire Schotta and Paige Tyson – by way of three goals and an assist – helped Tech move to 3-0 at Thompson Field this season.
In a start-and-go first quarter that saw Tech accumulate three green cards, Elon jumped out to a 4-1 lead by scoring on four of its six attempts.
The visitors netted a goal with just two seconds remaining in the first quarter, however, that would be their last score until over five minutes into the third quarter. By holding the Phoenix scoreless in the second quarter, Virginia Tech has held three different opponents (Mercer and Queens) to zero goals in a frame this season.
Virginia Tech benefited from a player-up opportunity at the 11:44 mark when Downey scored on a feed from Mia Pozzi, the freshman's second of three assists on the day.
Ella Rishko, Claire Schotta, Caroline Little, Paige Tyson, Vergano, and Downey scribed their names into the scoresheet in the second frame with the help of Sarah Gresham guiding four of seven draw controls to the Hokies after goals.
Despite reeling in the scoring in the third quarter, only holding a 4-2 advantage with a hat-trick from Vergano and a goal from Isa Torres, Virginia Tech had only one turnover in the third quarter to limit chances for an Elon comeback.
Tyson and Schotta wrapped up their hat tricks in the final quarter, while Maura O'Malley scored her third goal of the season, as well.
Wednesday's victory marked the Hokies' fifth time keeping an opponent at 10-or-fewer goals this season. Elon's 17 turnovers stand tied for the second-most by an opponent this season, while Tech's 21 ground balls tie the mark set against VCU in the season opener for the most this year.
Jocelyn Torres, who saw just over 50 minutes of action, allowed only six goals on the day, while making four saves. Lilly Kannapell came up with one stop in her time closing out the contest for the Hokies.
Conference play resumes for Virginia Tech this Saturday, as No. 5 Syracuse comes to town at noon. Following the game, a free postgame youth clinic will be orchestrated by Tech players and coaches.
Gallery: (3-6-2024) LAX: Elon Match