virginia tech loses to syracuse in first round of acc tournament

Jack Brizendine

April 28, 2021

After falling behind 1-0 in the first four minutes of the game, Paige Tyson took things into her hand for Virginia Tech, popping a shot over the head of Syracuse goalkeeper Asa Goldstock to tie the game.

The goal kept the Hokies in the game against the second-best team in the ACC, a sign of life from a squad that had been dormant for the majority of the year.

Unfortunately for No. 7-seed Virginia Tech (5-11, 1-8 ACC), that’s as close as the team would come to No. 2-seed Syracuse (13-2, 8-2 ACC) all evening, eventually losing 9-4.

The Orange took over following Tyson’s goal, netting two more scores in the next nine minutes, courtesy of goals from Emma Tyrrell and Emma Ward. Both goals were assisted by Meaghan Tyrrell.

Syracuse closed out the first half with two more goals from Sierra Cockerille and Cara Quimby to carry a 5-1 lead into halftime. Despite the deficit, Virginia Tech keeper Angie Benson was particularly impressive in the first thirty minutes, racking up five saves.

Paige Petty fired in a top shelf score to open up the second half to bring the Hokies within three, but the Orange fired back with three scores from Sam Swart and the Tyrrell sisters over the next six minutes.

Virginia Tech got a last second gasp from Emma Crooks and Tyson in the final twelve minutes of play, but it ultimately wouldn’t be enough to pull off the comeback.

A goal from Swart with two ticks left on the game clock put the cherry on top of the victory for the Orange.

Goal-scorers for the Hokies include Crooks, Petty, and Tyson. Sarah Lubnow made her presence felt as well, assisting on three of the team’s four goals.

Virginia Tech now looks to the NCAA tournament, where the team should be seeded relatively high despite it’s 5-11 record. The Hokies were ranked 38 in the Women’s Lacrosse RPI Poll going into the Syracuse match.