Virginia Tech falls to Jacksonville 15-6

By Duncan Weigand

Staff Writer

February 12, 2022

When Sarah Elms’ equalizer found the back of the net early in the first quarter it seemed like your run of the mill play. However, that goal signaled a momentum shift, momentum that wouldn’t be regained by the Hokies until it was too late.

Virginia Tech traveled to Jacksonville hoping to win in its first game of the season, and its first appearance under new head coach Kristen Skiera. This would not be an easy task however, the Hokies were set to face off against No. 18 Jacksonville.

The Dolphins’ high flying offense and stifling defense rocked and rattled the Hokies the entire first half.

Virginia Tech’s bench erupted when a quick shot from Hannah Mardiney opened up the scoring. It seemed like the Hokies were going to run the table early.

Jacksonville was unphased by the goal that came just five minutes into the opening quarter. It responded with two goals of its own just a minute apart to regain the lead and they never looked back.

Jacksonville was able to take a stranglehold of the game and rattled off seven goals to take a commanding 9-1 lead heading into halftime. Virginia Tech seemed stunned.

When the third quarter began it seemed as if the Dolphins dominance in all facets of the game was going to continue. Mackenzie Boyle’s lazer put Jacksonville into double digits. Virginia Tech’s sideline looked dejected as the game continued to get more out of hand.

Just when it felt like Jacksonville had broken the game wide open Sarah Lubnow scored to make it 10-2. The Hokies had a little bit of fight left in them. Sophie Student recorded her first tally of the season just a few seconds later to make the score 10-3. A goal by Paige Tyson and another by Student capped off the best quarter Virginia Tech had all game.

Virginia Tech seemed poised to make a comeback down 10-5 heading into the fourth quarter. But Jacksonville squashed those hopes with five goals in the fourth. Virginia Tech was able to squeeze one shot past the outstretched stick of Dolphin’s goalie, Addy Tysdal, in garbage time for the Hokies sixth goal of the game. However, it was too little too late, it seemed as though the Hokies had run out of gas. When the clock hit double zeros the jubilation from Jacksonville’s sideline was immense. The Dolphins had beaten the Hokies 15-6 in a game they had complete control over from start to finish.

Virginia Tech (0-1) will look to rebound quickly. The Hokies next game is Wednesday Feb. 16 against in-state rival James Madison.