Moments of Excellence: Women’s soccer defeats No. 3 North Carolina, 2-1

As the 2022 calendar year comes to a close, Virginia Tech Athletics will spend the month of December celebrating the Hokies’ standout achievements from the past 12 months in a campaign called “Moments of Excellence.”

The “Moments of Excellence” campaign will serve as a look back to the historic highlights and memorable accomplishments in Tech Athletics during 2022. Each varsity sport program will have an outstanding moment featured during December on the official Virginia Tech Athletics website and @HokieSports social media properties. Fans can visit the Hokies’ social media directory to stay in contact with Tech Athletics and their favorite sports teams.

Virginia Tech women’s soccer defeated No. 3 North Carolina (2-1) for the first time since 2011 serving as the women’s soccer Moment of Excellence. 

 

Virginia Tech pulls off the upset over #3 North Carolina!! Third straight ACC Victory!#Hokies⚽️🦃 pic.twitter.com/6SKhQdWhT9

— Virginia Tech Women’s Soccer (@HokiesWSoccer) October 2, 2022

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech came back from a 1-0 deficit at halftime to take down No. 3 North Carolina, 2-1, on Saturday night at Thompson Field. Taylor Bryan scored the equalizer in the 73^rd minute before Tori Powell found the winner in the 85^th minute to give the Hokies their first win over the Tar Heels since 2011.

 

✨𝙐𝙣𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚

Take us back one more time @EvanKHughes🎙

🎁Give For the W: https://t.co/8wyQnUiNPT#Hokies ⚽️🦃 pic.twitter.com/Dlkg4m0VXB

— Virginia Tech Women’s Soccer (@HokiesWSoccer) October 2, 2022

The win marks Virginia Tech’s third-straight ACC win and its second victory against a ranked opponent in its last three games.

Tech fell behind in the first half when a North Carolina shot from outside the box took a major deflection and landed in the back of Tech’s net. The Tar Heels headed into the locker room up 1-0 with an 11-1 advantage in shots.

In the second half, the game balanced out and Virginia Tech was able to capitalize on a pair of opportunities.

Bryan netted her second goal of the season when she slotted a shot past the North Carolina keeper after Gabby Johnson played her in. 

The game tilted further in the Hokies’ direction in the 83^rd minute when the Tar Heels’ Maggie Pierce was shown a red card.

Tech’s bench was able to empty in celebration shortly after when Taylor Price lofted a ball onto the path of Powell, who let the ball take a…