Hokies Remain Undefeated On the Road, Improve to 2-1 in the ACC

By Kolbjorn Bergstrom

Staff Writer

September 25, 2022

After an unsuccessful Wake Forest free kick, Virginia Tech midfielder Emma Pelkowski fouled a Demon Deacon inside the box, resulting in a penalty kick. It was the first of the season for Wake Forest freshman Caiya Hanks, who suddenly was in position to improve her side’s penalty kick record of 1-2 on the season.

Hanks lined up for the shot and fired the ball to sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Hargrove’s right, but it went wide.

The Hokies (8-2-1) were given a second lease on life by Wake Forest (7-2-2), and they took advantage with a 2-0 road win.

As time was ticking down in the first half, Tech head coach Coach Chugger Adair made his typical hockey-esque line change to his front three, giving forwards Sophie Maltese, Taylor Bryan, and Allie George a chance to give the Hokies the lead. These three ran the show Sunday evening, the substitutes paying dividends for their side.

With six minutes remaining, Virginia Tech found an opportunity in the box. The ball floated from right to left, then vice versa off a cross in the box from midfielder Lauren Gogal. The ball found Maltese at the back post, and her header deflected off the hands of goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks and into the back of the net to give Virginia Tech a 1-0 lead heading into the half.

Compared to Tech’s previous game at NC State, the overall opportunities between the two sides Sunday were even going into the half. Virginia Tech led in shots (5-2) and shots on target (2-1), while Wake Forest led in corners (2-0).

The second half started after a lightning delay. Though there were a higher quantity of chances in this half, they were not high quality chances. Notable chances from Virginia Tech’s Natalie Mitchell and Wake Forest’s Olivia Stolwill were unsuccessful, but after 20 minutes had gone by, an opportunity appeared out of thin air.

Driving down the center of the field, George found a pass to Bryan just off to her right. Bryan drove into the box, taking defender Laurel Ansbrow one-on-one. The confidence exuded off of Bryan, and after a quick look to her left, she aimed her sights at the goal and buried her shot into the top corner of the near post, giving the Hokies a 2-0 lead on her first goal of the season.

After the disappointing defeat, Wake Forest will remain at home to take on Syracuse (8-3), which just came off a big home win against Miami after two 1-0 losses to UNC and No. 5 Duke. The game is set for October 2 at noon.

Virginia Tech will look to continue its winning ways on its return to Blacksburg to take on another North Carolina foe in the No. 3 North Carolina Tar Heels (9-2). The Tar Heels have only lost to the top two teams in the nation (UCLA and UVa) and also come into the match with a two game win streak. This match is set to take place October 1 at 7:00 p.m.