BLACKSBURG – Taking the field for the second to last time in the regular season, Virginia Tech lacrosse fell 20-9 to No. 1/5 Notre Dame on Saturday afternoon.
Five different goalscorers and 14 combined saves from Jocelyn Torres and Lilly Kannapell weren't enough to keep the top-ranked Fighting Irish quiet.
Tech fell behind early, as Notre Dame jumped out to a 5-1 lead early – scoring four unanswered within a four-minute span after the Hokies' Grace New evened the score at 1-1. Claire Schotta added a well-taken goal with 21 seconds remaining in the first quarter to send Virginia Tech into the second quarter 5-2.
Despite committing six turnovers in the second quarter (in comparison to Notre Dame's two), the Hokies matched their opponents with four goals in the second frame. Lauren Render and Olivia Vergano tacked on two goals before Paige Tyson and Kayla Downey connected twice to bring the Hokies within one goal, 7-6. The Fighting Irish put the last two scores on the board, however, and took a 9-6 lead into the halftime break.
Notre Dame used the third quarter to separate itself, putting seven goals past the Hokies, who were held scoreless in the quarter. After taking an 8-8 split in draw controls into halftime, Tech fell behind in the category through the third quarter.
New, Downey and Render contributed goals in the final quarter, but Tech couldn't close the margin and fell 20-9.
Of note, nine of Virginia Tech's 15 points were recorded by seniors that were honored before the game.
The Hokies will wrap up their regular season at Thompson Field on Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Virginia.