Lady Hokies Escape Weekend with Two Ties:
Miss out on ACC Tourney The Virginia Tech Women’s Soccer team took on Maryland and #24 Boston College at home over the weekend to finish out its ACC schedule. The Hokies went into the matches needing a pair of wins and a pair of N.C. State losses to secure the 8th and final ACC tournament slot but could only manage two hard fought draws to go to 5-8-4 on the season. Friday’s game was against Maryland and ended in a 0-0 score, while Sunday afternoon’s game against Boston College ended 3-3. Despite the results being the same, the games could not have been any more different. The game against Maryland was full of opportunities for both sides but neither team could find the back of the net. Tech got out to a fast start as freshman Julian Johnson found herself wide open at the top of the box in the 12th minute only to drive her shot off of the right post. Then, in the 29th minute Julian Johnson was taken down to set up a free kick taken by Heather Hallberg that found left post this time. In all Tech got off 16 shots in regulation but only six of which were on goal. As the game went through two scoreless overtimes the Hokies were able to get off eight more shots. One of these shots came from Laurie Beth Puglisi, which looked like the game winner only to be punched away by a diving Nikki Resnick to maintain the shutout. As the game finished in a 0-0 tie it was hard to fathom how no goals were scored. Tech led the game in shots 24-11 as Puglisi led the way with five shots, three of which were on goal. Johnson, Hallberg, and Robin Chidester each added four shots each. Tech also led in corner kicks (4-1) and fouls (21-17) while Resnick finished with nine saves and Tech’s Mallory Soldner had five. Going into Sunday’s game Tech really looked to capitalize on scoring opportunities, after being shut out by Maryland, and that is exactly what they did. Only seven minutes into the match against Boston College the Hokies held a two goal lead. The first of these goals came on a perfectly orchestrated attack by Johnson, Ashley Kinzer, and Mary Elizabeth Newton. Johnson started the run at midfield giving the ball up to Kinzer who got it right back to Johnson with a touch pass down the right sideline. Johnson then dribbled out in front of her defender and put a perfect cross in front of the goal to a streaking Mary Elizabeth Newton for her first goal of the season and Johnson’s season high 12th assist. Just 35 seconds later Chidester, a freshman forward, took the ball unassisted into the box and scored from five yards out. Unfortunately this quick lead would not last as Boston College would tie things up on goals in the 18th and 26th minutes. First Gina DiMartino scored on a Kia McNeil assist and then McNeil would get her own goal, this time unassisted. Next Boston College got their third unanswered goal in the 53rd minute on a goal by Kelly Henderson, assisted by DiMartino. The game then went into the final minute with Boston College still leading 3-2. On a deflected shot in the box Tech ended up with a corner kick that would undoubtedly be the last possession of the game. Tech would send nine players into the box including goal keeper Mallory Soldner for the last second attempt. Newton sent the ball into the box where it got lost in the confusion only to find the foot of Kinzer who put it in the goal with only nine seconds remaining. The game then went through two scoreless overtimes to end in a draw. The final stats for the squads were almost identical with the Hokies leading in shots (18-17); corner kicks (10-7), and saves (5-3) while the Terps led in only in penalties (12-11). Despite having to settle for a second straight tie he Hokies were very pleased with the result as it was the highest goal total in an ACC game all season. The high output also came against the #3 team in the conference and following a shut out where the Hokies got off 24 shots. The pair of draws was also a great way to finish an ACC schedule that was very difficult but one where the Hokies had a chance to win each game with biggest loss only being by two goals (Duke and Wake Forest). Since the ladies were unable to make it to postseason play they will quickly begin looking to next year. Tech will only loose Senior Mallory Solder while the rest of the team and an impressive recruiting class will be ready for a new season. However, this season is not over yet. Virginia Tech will take on East Tennessee State for Senior Night on Friday, Oct. 27th at 7 p.m. |