labovitz lifts hokies to victory vs. notre dame
Patrick Campbell
November 2, 2020
Virginia Tech's Jacob Labovitz attempts a shot against Louisville on Friday, October 30. The Great Falls, Va. native scored both Hokies goals in the contest and was named ACC Offensive Player of the Week before scoring the game-winner at Notre Dame on Monday afternoon. (Virginia Tech athletics)
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Virginia Tech beat Notre Dame 1-0 on Monday behind another game winner from forward Jacob Labovitz.
Four Notre Dame shots in the first 17 minutes of the match kept Virginia Tech on its heels to start the game. The Hokies started off the half down 4-0 in shots but finished ahead 5-4.
Tech’s best chance came from midfielder Daniel Pereira, who had a free kick that forced a diving save from Notre Dame keeper Keagan McLaughlin in the 41st minute. The two teams took a scoreless tie into halftime.
The Hokies carried their momentum into the second half and never looked back, only allowing two Notre Dame shots the rest of the match.
On a day where the ACC announced forward Jacob Labovtitz as the conference's offensive player of the week, he scored the game winner for the Hokies on a cross from Kyle McDowell in the 52nd minute. It was Labovitz’s third goal in two games and his second consecutive game-winning goal.
Notre Dame tried to make a late push but Tech keeper Mathijs Swaneveld made a key stop, his only stop of the night, in the 90th minute to earn his ninth career shutout. The win is the Hokies' fourth consecutive victory against the Fighting Irish.
Tech employed the same starting lineup for two consecutive games for the first time all season and it paid off. After two great results against Louisville (W, 2-1) and Notre Dame (W, 1-0), Hokies sit in second place in the ACC’s North Region.
Virginia Tech (2-1-2, 2-1-2 ACC) travels to Virginia on Friday at 4 p.m. for their final regular season match while Notre Dame (3-3, 2-2 ACC) will face Louisville on Friday at 7 p.m. for their last home match of the season.