HEARTBREAKING OVERTIME DEFEAT FOR VIRGINIA TECH RESULTS IN FOURTH STRAIGHT LOSS

Kolbjorn Bergstrom

March 28, 2021

BLACKSBURG, Va. — After a weather delay pushed the start time back on Saturday afternoon, Virginia Tech scored with little time left in regulation against Pitt to tie the score 1-1, which sent the match to overtime. Unfortunately for the Hokies, the Panthers spoiled their senior day celebration with the only goal of overtime, securing a fourth straight loss for Mike Brizendine’s side.

After only two minutes of play, the game was delayed due to storms in the area, and what started as a senior day turned into more of a senior night. The game, originally slated to start at 1 p.m., was able to start again until 6 p.m.

This game was a story in two parts, starting with a half that favored Pittsburgh. The fifth-ranked team in the country led the first half in shots 6-1, with two of those shots landing on target. Despite the dominant half by the Panthers, Virginia Tech was able to hold on to a scoreless result until the final three minutes.

The first goal of the contest was scored by sophomore midfielder Valentin Noel. The goal brings his tally up to 11 on the season and ties him with the NCAA men’s leading scorer Gloire Amanda of No. 6 Oregon State. This goal was what Pittsburgh was looking for in the first half to head into halftime with the 1-0 advantage.

Virginia Tech was not going to go out on senior day without a fight, as the second half saw the game swing into the favor of the Hokies. Virginia Tech led this half in shots 6-1, just as Pittsburgh had previously in the first 45.

The Hokies were unfortunate to not score in the 63rd minute of play, as graduate goalkeeper Nico Campuzano denied two attempts from junior midfielder Kyle McDowell and midfielder Kristo Strickler. This was the best chance for the Hokies up to this point, and they had to wait until the bitter end to find another.

With five minutes remaining, senior forward Jacob Labovitz found the back of the net for Virginia Tech with an assist from Kyle McDowell, marking Labovitz’s sixth goal of the season. Mike Brizendine’s side was able to hold off two corners in the last five minutes to send the exciting game into overtime.

The first overtime period gave the Hokies a scare as graduate defender Jasper Loeffeslend had a shot bounce off the left post quickly followed by Valentin Noel, who put his shot over the top of the goal. The ten-minute period passed and the score remained 1-1.

Unfortunately for Virginia Tech, the second period did not last long as Pittsburgh found the game winner two minutes in. The goal came from senior forward Alexander Dexter, who buried his chance off an unfortunate rebound from sophomore goalkeeper Matt Zambetti.

This result marks the third straight loss to Pittsburgh for Virginia Tech, taking the all-time series to a 5-3-4 record for the Hokies.

This result marks the fourth straight defeat for Virginia Tech with a two-game road stretch to finish off the season. Tech’s trip starts in Chapel Hill against North Carolina on April 2 at 7 p.m. No. 5 Pitt will look to extend its three-game winning streak at home against Notre Dame on April 3, which will also start at 7 p.m.