Hokies Fall To Duke 9-8

Jacob Sprigg

Staff Writer

March 16, 2023

Virginia Tech couldn't hold off Duke in the loss to the Blue Devils. (Virginia Tech Athletics)

BLACKSBURG – On Saturday afternoon, Duke picked up (5-4, 1-2 ACC) picked up its first ACC win of the 2024 season with a 9-8 victory over Virginia Tech (6-3, 1-2) at Thompson Field. 

The last time these two matched up, this game was a thriller, with the Hokies taking the victory 14-13 in overtime. Looking at preseason polls, both teams matched up well against each other, as it was going to be a hard-fought battle for whoever came out on top with double zeros left on the clock. Duke came into the season predicted to finish seventh in the conference, while the Hokies were predicted to finish eight. 

Virginia Tech has still not beat Duke at home since the 2018 season.  

The game opened up with the Hokies scoring the first goal, coming from junior Olivia Vergano. Duke responded with a goal of their own, followed by another Hokies goal. 

The Hokies get out to a one-goal lead, where then Duke scores five unanswered goals, making this a 6-2 game. Virginia Tech responded after taking a timeout in the second period, scoring four unanswered of their own. During Tech’s run, graduate student Paige Tyson knocked in three out of the four goals during their run, giving her a hat trick in the first half. 

Both teams looked pretty unstoppable on offense, with Duke having a lead 7-6 going into the second half.  

The second half both teams came out with their defenses showing out. Senior Lilly Kannapell of Virginia Tech recorded six saves throughout the second period, where she played all 30 minutes of the half. Each team scored once in the third, and once in the fourth, but it was not enough for the Hokies to prevail in the final minutes of the game. 

In the victory, Duke’s Katie DeSimone recorded two goals to add to her 242 total career goals, making her the second all-time leading scorer in Duke history. As the scoreboard shows a close game, Virginia Tech dominated in draw control, winning 15-5 in this area, as well as shots on goal, 27-22. 

The Hokies had multiple chances to score late in the fourth period, but just were not able to put it in the net.

After the loss, the Hokies fall to 1-3 in conference play while Duke gets back to .500 in the ACC. Virginia Tech will look to bounce back and get in the win column with Longwood coming to town on Wednesday.