No. 5 Hokies Repay Tar Heels In Kind, 2-1

After dropping a crucial midseason home match to North Carolina by a score of 2-1 in ’06, the Hokies flipped the script tonight, topping the Tar Heels 2-1. Defenseman Scott Spangler’s first goal of the season proved the difference maker in the second half, and lifts Tech men’s soccer to third place in the ACC.

The victory also improves Tech’s school record unbeaten streak to 12, although three of the previous four had ended in a draw. Said Spangler, “Our goal is to win the ACC, and getting ties all the time is not going give us that.”

Virginia Tech (8-1-4, 2-0-3 ACC) controlled the tempo in North Carolina’s end for most of the first ten minutes, but it was the Tar Heels (4-4-5, 2-3-0 ACC) who commenced scoring. Scott Campbell redirected a left cross from Zach Lloyd into the back of the Hokies’ net in the 14th minute.

Despite repeated assaults deep into the UNC penalty box, Tar Heel goalie Tyler Deric held his ground. Deric, who recorded seven saves, came into the match with the second lowest GAA in the nation.

A Robert Edmans shot from 40 yards out in the 22nd minute triggered the crowd to gasp, in part because it was reminiscent of his spectacular goal from that distance against St. John’s. However, it swung wide this time.

Edmans, who some call the “Gentle Giant”, would hit his target shortly after when Charlie Campbell’s searing pass down left side hit the Brit in stride. Edmans, who’s five goals tie Stefan Hock for the team lead, connected with the ball off its bounce and one-hopped the crucial equalizer into the left side of the net (29th).

“He was actually coming out after that play,” said Tech head coach Oliver Weiss, “So I’m glad he put in a good effort and got the equalizer. That was a huge lift and it really got everyone’s spirits up.”

One player in particular raised the level of his play as the clock winded toward half time, and that was All-ACC junior Patrick Nyarko. He displayed great deal of fancy footwork in and around UNC’s penalty box, eventually drawing a free kick which narrowly swerved over the crossbar just before the half’s end.

The Tar Heels made multiple runs over the first fifteen minutes of the second half, but keeper Marcus Aigner (two saves) and the Tech defense quelled each attack.

The Hokies would take the lead in the 60th minute as Hock maneuvered to the end line before sending a low, skidding cross left to Spangler, who converted the opportunity.

Virginia Tech would dominate possession with excellent midfield play, preserving the one goal lead.

“Winning balls at midfield was our goal,” said Weiss, “We really didn’t let their good players get into a rhythm.”

The spots where UNC caught rhythm were few and far between. One particularly dangerous moment occurred in the 86th minute, when the Tar Heels Michael Callahan received a slow-rolling pass that found him with nothing between him and the net but the goalie.

His shot flew wide of the left post. Said Weiss, “I mean, we all thought that ball was in the back of the net.”

A minute later, the wheels seemed to completely fall off for North Carolina when the reigning ACC Men’s Soccer Player of the Week, defender Ryan Adeleye, received his second yellow card.

Tech would keep the ball away from their opponent as the match winded to its close, but several missed opportunities in the Tar Heels’ end could’ve closed it out much earlier.

“We missed some clear chances,” said Weiss, “It wasn’t the killer instinct that can put a good team like this away, and I think that’s something we need to work on.”

Despite the bitingly cold temperature, 2,377 still attended the match, which ranks fifth in school history.

The Hokies travel to Durham on Tuesday for what figures to be an extremely difficult match against Duke at 7 p.m. The Blue Devils were recently ranked eighth in the nation, but have dropped their last two matches against ACC rivals.