A soccer player in a black and red uniform dribbles the ball on a green field during a game.A soccer player in a black and red uniform dribbles the ball on a green field during a game.
Women's Soccer

Ciocca's goal secures 1-1 tie at Penn State

Gabby Ciocca scored the third goal of her collegiate career in the 85th minute

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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Virginia Tech (4-0-3) continued its unbeaten start to the season with a 1-1 tie at Penn State on Thursday evening. 

Gabby Ciocca scored the Hokies’ lone goal to tie it in the 85th minute. 

How It Happened
The Hokies got off to a hot start just two minutes into the match as Gabby Ciocca won the ball off a Penn State defender and brought the ball forward to Anna Weir, who dribbled around two defenders and sent it into the back of the net. The goal was ultimately called off for a handball on Weir due to the ball hitting her arm as she was attempting to settle it for the shot. 

Penn State was awarded a penalty in the 15th minute after Peyton May fouled a Nittany Lion forward in the box. Penn State stepped up to take the penalty, slotting it into the bottom right corner of the net to take a 1-0 lead. 

The second half started even between the two teams before the first big chance in the 63rd minute. Penn State delivered a cross into the box that allowed an oncoming attacker to put her body into it for a shot that ricocheted off the crossbar.

Tech was attacking heavily over the next twenty minutes before Ciocca finally broke through in the 85th minute. The buildup began with a Lilli Lubic throw-in that made it into the 18-yard box, where Celine Kampmann tipped the ball, helping it land at the foot of Johannah Bradley. She fired a shot at the goalkeeper, whose rebound found Ciocca to finish for the tying goal. The goal was initially called offside but was deemed to be onside after a VAR review. 

The game ended with a third VAR review for a potential handball in the box on the Hokies, but it was ruled not a handball. 

Game Notes
• Tech is unbeaten through seven games for the first time since 2019
• Tech outshot the Nittany Lions, 21-14
• The Hokies recorded 11 shots on the goal – the second most in a game this season
• Gabby Ciocca scored her third goal of the season
• Johannah Bradley recorded her first collegiate assist
• Julianna Trujillo tied her season-high with three saves
• Madi Boutot, Celine Kampmann, Ellie Robertson and Julia Tepes played all 90 minutes

Up Next
The Hokies (4-0-3) return to Blacksburg for senior day against Illinois (1-0-3) on Sunday, Sept. 6, at noon. The game will be televised on ACCNX.