No. 16 Virginia Tech women’s soccer falls 2-1 to Ohio State

BLACKSBURG – The No. 16 Virginia Tech women’s soccer team fell to Ohio State, 2-1, tonight, at Thompson Field.

Tonight’s match featured a Hokie (4-1) team that controlled the stat line, outshooting the Buckeyes, 23-9, and earning 12 corner kicks to Ohio State’s (5-0) six. Tech tallied eight shots on-goal compared to OSU’s seven. Senior goalkeeper Jillian McVicker earned the win, while freshman Mandy McGlynn tallied five saves in her fifth start with the Hokies.

The Hokies put pressure on the Buckeyes all evening, most especially early in the second half. Tech earned back-to-back shots in the 54th minute and had a flurry of chances that resulted in two corner kicks, including a header from Irwin that soared wide right.

+Potomac area NCAA men’s soccer round-up: August 26-28, 2016

Senior forward Murielle Tiernan gave the Hokies a fighting chance in the 63rd minute, recording her second goal of the season with an assist from sophomore defender Alia Abu El Hawa. Freshman midfielder Lilly Weber also had a fantastic look at the net in the 72nd minute to tie the game at two apiece, but she could not connect with the net, as the ball rolled just left of the goal post.

The Buckeyes first got on the board in the 33rd minute, as senior forward Lindsay Agnew scored her third goal of the season on a breakaway down the left field side. OSU tallied a couple helpers on the play, as Nikki Walts and Morgan Wolcott each recorded an assist.

Ohio State padded its lead in the 57th minute. Wolcott brought the ball up the left side of the field, slipped past Tech’s defenders, and took a shot from 10-yards out that bent around McGlynn and went far right post.

Redshirt freshman defender Kelsey Irwin tallied a team-best six shots this evening, followed by sophomore midfielder Kristina Diana and Weber with three each. Wolcott finished with a team-high three shots, including two on-goal.

HEAD COACH CHUGGER ADAIR QUOTES

“We put a little bit of pressure on. Twenty-three shots was solid. I think I told the girls that we deserved more. We were a little bit off finishing. Our timing was a little off in the box. They had a good game plan. They sat in and defended. They made it difficult for us to play. It’s difficult with a lot of numbers in there to get those chances and put it away.”

“I still think that the first group didn’t have the intensity that we would like to have. If you noticed the last few games, we would bring in some subs with fresh legs. They have made an impact, which has been great, but we have to get that out of the starting group. We talked about having 90 minutes intense, completive soccer.”

NOTES

With the loss, the Buckeyes lead the all-time series 3-1 … Tiernan scored her 41st career goal in tonight’s match … the Hokies finished with a season-high 23 shots on the night, as Irwin tallied a season-best six shots, including one on-goal.

NEXT UP

The Hokies will travel to Williamsburg, Virginia, for a match against William & Mary on Sunday, Sept. 4. First kick is set for 2 p.m., at the Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field. Sunday’s match will be streamed online HERE. Live scores also can be found HERE.