Hokies knocked out in the quarterfinals of the ACC Championships

Tech must wait for next Sunday night to learn of postseason fate

April 27, 2017

	1	2	F
Virginia Tech (11-8)	6	7	13
Syracuse (14-5)	5	15	20
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RICHMOND, VA - The No. RV/20 Virginia Tech lacrosse team was tripped up by the No. 10/10 Syracuse Orange by a score of 20-13 on Thursday night from Sports Backers Stadium. The loss firmly puts Tech’s NCAA aspirations on the hopes of the selection committee.

“They (Syracuse) have so much talent on that team, John Sung said. “As we’re building I think we will get there. We’re just young, this is my first year coaching in the ACC and knowing at any moment teams can turn it on and that’s what Syracuse did as they hit the switch and we couldn’t answer.”

The Hokies began the game on fire, scoring the game’s first four goals. Zan Biedenharn, Taylor Caskey, Tristan McGinley and Kristine Loscalzo each on target for Tech who was winning draws and controlling the tempo.

The Orange found their scoring touch 13 minutes into the game when Riley Donahue scored her 34^th of the season. Syracuse used that momentum to on a four-goal run to tie the match at four.

Loscalzo scored from a free position with a single second left on the clock to give the Hokies a one-goal advantage going into the halftime break.

The second half began with two Syracuse goals followed by three from Tech, giving the Hokies their largest lead of the game at 9-7. From that point on the game turned as Syracuse began tightening up on defense, winning draw controls and converting on the offensive end. In the midst of the second half the Orange had a 10-goal run and took control of the match. Alie Jimerson and Natalie Wallon each scored three times and four other Orange players scored twice each.

Meagh Graham was credited with five saves, three ground balls and one caused turnover for the Hokies defense which let in a season-high 20 goals. Loscalzo led all goal-scorers with five goals, McGinley had three and an assist, while Marissa Davey provided two goals.

“I’m really excited about the future; this group are winners,” Sung said. “They won the most ACC games in program history and we’re changing the culture. Culture is everything that we do and I know we’re going to be there.”

Inside the box score:
-Tech put up 32 shots to Syracuse’s 33
-The Orange won 20 draws, the Hokies 14
-Tech went just 3-for-12 on free position opportunities, while shooting .548 on the season
-The game featured eight yellow cards; Tech had five and Syracuse three

Next up for the Hokies: The NCAA Division I Selection Show is next Sunday night, when Tech will learn if they have earned a bid to the 26-team tournament.

For updates on Virginia Tech lacrosse, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Lax