A late, first-half goal hurt Syracuse’s (8-7-2, 1-6-2) chances for the second straight game and Virginia Tech (10-5-2, 4-4-1) emerged with a 2-0 triumph in Blacksburg on Sunday.
In Syracuse’s 2-0 loss at Pittsburgh on Thursday, the Panthers scored the opening tally with 1:15 left in the opening period.
HOW THE GAME WAS DECIDED
A back-and-forth, tug-of-war type first half was broken up when Virginia Tech scored on a set piece with 2:39 until the intermission. Gabby Johnson recorded an “olimpico,” bending her corner kick into the Orange net to put the Hokies ahead, 1-0.
SYRACUSE STARTS STRONG
Syracuse managed four first-half shots and three of them came in the initial 25 minutes. Graduate student Chelsea Domond had the first good opportunity at 21:36 when she fought past two defenders to let a drive go that was stopped by Hokie goalkeeper Lauren Hargrove. Half a minute later, sophomore Pauline Machtens had a shot blocked by the Hokie defense. The Orange continued to pressure Virginia Tech, and at 24:31, graduate student Blue Ellis had her try slide just wide.
The Orange were making plays at the other end, as well. Virginia Tech’s Natalie Mitchell appeared to have an open look but graduate student Jenna Tivnan blocked the attempt from getting to the net. Freshman goalkeeper Shea Vanderbosch kept the shutout intact by stopping Taylor Bryan 5:35 before halftime.
VIRGINIA TECH GAINS A SECOND-HALF ADVANTAGE
With the Hokies leading by a goal and just under 30 minutes left in the…
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