Hokies fall to no. 5 florida state, 4-1, in regular season finale

By Nels Williams

Staff Writer

October 27, 2022

It was all gas, no brakes for No. 5 Florida State (12-2-2, 8-2 ACC) as Virginia Tech (10-6-2, 4-5-1) couldn’t keep up with Seminoles, falling 4-1 in Tallahassee.

The Seminoles jumped out against the Hokies early and didn’t look back. Just one minute in, forward Jenna Nighswonger lofted in a free kick just outside of the box onto the ground right in front of a diving goalkeeper Lauren Hargrove. After Hargrove failed to corral it, the ball popped up onto the foot of forward Leilanni Nesbeth, and the senior tapped it in with ease. The opening frame goal was Nesbeth’s fourth of the season.

Four minutes later, the Seminoles found the back of the net once more. Nighswoner again created the play for Florida State, lofting the ball in from the top of the box and onto the head of midfielder Onyi Echegini, who directed it past the right of Hargrove to make it 2-0 Florida State.

For the rest of the half, the Seminoles controlled possession over the Hokies. Although there were a few chances for Virginia Tech – mainly manufactured by forward Tori Powell – the Hokies could not add one to the board.

In the second half, Florida State poured on another in the 75th minute thanks to Echegini’s second goal of the night and team-leading ninth of the season. A great individual effort allowed her to slice her way through the Hokies’ defense and fire a shot that Hargrove could only look at as it sailed by her.

But in the 82nd minute, Virginia Tech found the back of the net. Forward Emmalee McCarter had the lone goal on the night for the Hokies. Her second goal of the season was a howitzer from the right half of the box that flew by goalkeeper Cristina Roque to ensure Virginia Tech would not be shutout.

Florida State got its three-goal lead back, however. In the 89th minute, midfielder Clara Robbins fired a penalty kick to the top left corner for her fourth goal of the season and FSU’s fourth goal of the game.

Foul troubles yet again plagued Virginia Tech. The team was whistled 12 times and forward Taylor Bryan, defender Averi Visage and Powell each picked up a yellow card.

No. 5 Florida State now moves to 21-0-2 all-time against Virginia Tech and closed out the season 12-2-2 on a high note. The Seminoles are gearing up for another deep NCAA Tournament run and seek to win back-to-back national championships.

Virginia Tech finishes the regular season 10-6-2 and 4-5-1 in ACC play. Although they do not qualify for the ACC Tournament, the Hokies will most likely be playing in the NCAA Tournament.

This season, Virginia Tech was 2-1-3 against ranked opponents, with the most resounding victory coming against No. 3 North Carolina — its first win against UNC since 2011. Ranked just once at No. 24 after defeating the Tar Heels, Virginia Tech quickly fell out of the Top 25 due to a two-game losing streak against Miami and Clemson.

The NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed November 7 and will start November 11. Tech head coach Chugger Adair has led the Hokies to seven NCAA Tournaments since his 2011 hire.