Hokies look to bounce back in a matchup with davidson

Topher Wagner

March 17, 2021

DAVIDSON, N.C. — Following a blowout loss to No. 1 North Carolina, No. 16 Virginia Tech looks to rebound in a road contest against Davidson on Wednesday evening.

Following a 2-2 start to the season and sitting at No. 14 in the nation, the Hokies felt confident heading into ACC conference play. Then, their season was flipped upside down when they were forced to halt operations for two weeks due to COVID-19 protocols.

In Tech’s return to play, it hosted top-ranked North Carolina while still down several players, including star Paige Petty. What followed next was disastrous, as the Hokies were dominated from start to finish in a 22-1 loss. Now, just days later, the Hokies’ will face off against Davidson in a contest that looms large as they look to get their season back on track.

Davidson will look to get back in the win column after having its four-game win streak snapped against Coastal Carolina. Against CCU, the Wildcats were unable to rally after going down 9-3 in the first half as the slow start doomed them in the 12-7 loss.

After scoring double digit goals in each of its first four games, Davidson hopes it's offense can wake back up against Virginia Tech.

This will be the 20th all-time matchup between Davidson and Virginia Tech with the Hokies leading the series 16-4. Tech has been particularly dominant as of late, winning the last ten meetings. The Hokies also have a stellar 8-3 all-time record on the road against the Wildcats and certainly hope they can continue this streak to get back to .500.

Virginia Tech Key to the Game: Generate more offensive chances

In Tech’s first four games before its COVID pause, it scored double digit goals three times and was primarily led by a consistently strong offensive attack. However, this high powered offense came crashing back down to Earth against North Carolina as VT put up a single goal on just 11 shots.

To bounce back against Davidson, Tech’s offense will need to find its rhythm.

Davidson Key to the Game: Limit Turnovers

At the beginning of Davidson’s win streak, it was playing very efficiently and scoring at a high rate. However, in the last two games, the Wildcats have turned it over a combined 38 times as its opponents have found ways to disrupt what has been a lethal offense. Davidson will have to find a way to minimize these mistakes against a scrappy Hokies’ defense.

Virginia Tech Player to Watch: Sarah Lubnow

Before the COVID pause, Lubnow had just put up a team-high five points in the loss to Virginia. However, in Tech’s first game back from its break, the team struggled mightily to get anything going on offense with Lubnow out.

The Hokies will need Lubnow to return strong against Davidson to avoid losing back-to-back games.

Davidson Player to Watch: Amanda Monahan

One of the bright spots for the Wildcats this season has been the emergence of Monahan. Since making her first start in goal in Davidson’s first game of the year, the sophomore has won four games, tallying 49 saves in the process.

Facing a Hokies’ offense with a propensity for high scoring, Monahan will have to be at her best.

Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 13, Davidson 10

After solid starts to their respective seasons, Tech and Davidson are both looking to bounce back in a big way after recent disappointing losses. While the Hokies were blown out against North Carolina, it was also their first game back from a two-week COVID break and they were playing down several key players.

Despite a strong start to the year particularly on the offensive side of the ball, Davidson’s defense has shown a knack for giving up goals as well. Facing a Hokies’ squad that is hungry to bounce back from an embarrassing loss, Davidson won’t be able to contain Tech’s offensive attack as it falls, 13-10.