Virginia Tech women pick up ACC road shutout at NC State, 3-0

RALEIGH, N.C. (Via Virginia Tech) – Virginia Tech broke open a scoreless match in the second half and defeated NC State, 3-0, in ACC women’s soccer action Thursday night.

The match, played in a steady downpour on the NC State campus, was the first conference road contest for the Hokies. Tech, ranked 10th nationally, improves to 9-1-1 overall and 1-1 in league action, while NC State falls to 4-7 overall and 0-2 in ACC play.

“I was very pleased with the result tonight,” head coach Chugger Adair said. “It was a very hard-fought battle against a very well-organized NC State team. It was very difficult weather conditions out there tonight with the rain and wind.”

After playing a scoreless first half, the Hokies posted three tallies after the intermission. Murielle Tiernan put Tech on the board in the 52nd minute, as she scored near post from 10 yards out on an assist from Ashley Meier.

Later in the half, the Hokies went up 2-0 on an own goal by NC State in the 75th minute of action. Tech earned its final goal less than three minutes later, as Meier netted a shot off the cross bar from 22 yards out.

“I thought we did a good job settling the game down in the second half, gaining possessions and creating chances from them,” Adair added. “I’m happy with the result and happy with our first three points of the year in the ACC and looking forward to a match with Syracuse back at Thompson Field on Sunday.”

Kaylyn Smith and the Virginia Tech defenders picked up the shutout, playing a stifling defense that allowed NC State just six shots, including only two on goal, all coming before intermission. Smith recorded two saves in earning the win. Tech outshot the Wolfpack, 18-6 and had 12 corners on the evening.

Tech returns to action on Sunday afternoon, as it hosts Syracuse at 1 p.m. at Thompson Field. The match will be broadcast by ESPN3.