Hokie Soccer Hangs On Against George Washington

By Justin Cates
September 30, 2008

Virginia Tech's James Gilson scored what would end up being the winning goal on a penalty kick in the 88th minute.
STAFF PHOTO BY BRIAN SEWELL

It wasn't always pretty, but Virginia Tech managed an important victory defeating George Washington 2-1 Tuesday night at the Virginia Tech Soccer Stadium and Thompson Field.

The Hokies (3-5-1) were coming off a four-game losing streak that included three ACC losses.

Virginia Tech broke through in the 43^rd minute when newly converted forward Brendan Dunn found freshman forward Emmanuel Akogyeram who connected on his team-leading fourth goal of the season.

The defensive struggle continued well into the second half until junior forward Mike Rollings scored for George Washington (4-3-1) in the 76^th minute to tie the game at one goal each.

The final blow came in the 88^th minute when junior James Gilson streaked into the Colonials' box, drawing a foul and a penalty kick. Gilson set the kick home giving Tech a 2-1 lead that would prove to be the final margin.

Junior goalkeeper Stefan Caulfield had seven saves to pace the defensive effort for the Hokies who have shuffled their lineup, favoring heavy substitutions while they deal with numerous injuries.

Of note, two Blacksburg High School products made the start in this game. Freshman defender Jeremy Williams played the entire game while fellow freshman midfielder Michael Breske played significant time as well.

Next up, the Hokies return to ACC play when they travel to take on the defending national champion and current No.1 Wake Forest Demon Deacons Saturday at 7 p.m. in Winston-Salem, N.C.