As has been the case in the Hokies’ five defeats this season, the game-winning goal came in the second half. Colin Thomas tucked away a curling effort from outside the box with his left foot in the 52nd minute, giving the Demon Deacons a lead.
Up until that point, Tech had registered only one shot in the match. Soon after the visitor’s breakthrough, the Hokies became much more aggressive with their play. The home side was able to piece together three attempts in the final five minutes between Danny Flores and Misei Yoshizawa, but neither player found the back of the net.
Virginia Tech’s back line stood strong throughout the night and kept the ACC’s joint-leading goal scorer Roald Mitchell off the scoresheet. Cameron Joice slid into the center back spot after Jack Dearie was sidelined due to a red card in last week’s match. Welnilton Jr. recorded the highlight of the match in the 22nd minute with a headed goal line clearance to preserve the clean sheet at the time.
… unbelievable hustle play from @welnilton 😤
📊 » https://t.co/AIbKKjzHNK
📺 » https://t.co/M3ARb4Qzle#SCTop10 | #Hokies 🦃 pic.twitter.com/5pFmSoFu0W
— Virginia Tech Men’s Soccer (@HokiesMSoccer) September 17, 2022
Ben Martino registered a season-high six saves in the match, including a close-range strike in the 65th minute, which kept Tech in the match.
Ben comes up with a huge stop.
📊 » https://t.co/AIbKKjzHNK
📺 » https://t.co/M3ARb4Qzle24:30 | 2H | 🦃 0 – 1 🎩#Hokies 🦃 pic.twitter.com/1iu0nCPPUN
— Virginia Tech Men’s Soccer (@HokiesMSoccer) September 17, 2022
The Hokies will return to Thompson Field on Tuesday, Sept. 20 against Longwood.
NOTES
- The Hokies suffered their fifth loss of the season. In all five matches, the game-winning goal has come in the second half.
- Ben Martino had a season-high six saves with three in each half.
- The crowd of 2,350 ranks seventh all-time in attendance for a men’s soccer match at Thompson Field.
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