Sung, Hokies get 2018 season underway Saturday afternoon

Tech looks for marquee victory to open the season over nationally ranked Southern California

February 9, 2018

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(8) Southern California (1-0)	5	6	11
Virginia Tech (0-1)	3	2	5
Indoor Practice - 463 Box Score Photo Gallery

BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech lacrosse team is set to begin the 2018 season on Saturday against the eighth-ranked USC Trojans. First draw is set for noon from the Indoor Practice Facility and the game can be seen on ACC Network Extra.

After winning 11 games for the first time since the 1999 season and knocking off two ACC foes for the first time ever, head coach John Sung has his squad prepared to take on the challenges of his second season in Blacksburg.

“I am really excited to keep building upon our foundation that we laid during my first season here,” Sung said. “We had a great fall and preseason, and now it’s time for us to take that next step. Our eight seniors have done a tremendous job keeping the culture of program growing in the right direction. We hope that we can give these seniors the best gift and accomplish all our team goals in 2018.”

“They always stepped up to the challenge,” @VTLaxCoach said. “I think that’s just part of the resiliency of these kids."@HokiesLax made history in 2017, ranking as high as 12 in the national polls. They open play vs. @USCTrojansLax this weekend.

Story: https://t.co/JtNlJV1887

— ILWomen (@ILWomen) February 9, 2018

The Hokies are led once again this season by attacker Tristan McGinley, a two-year captain who scored 50 goals a season ago and set the single-season Virginia Tech program record with 95 draw controls. McGinley was a nominee for the Tewaaraton Award, given to the most outstanding college lacrosse player last season.

Tech has no shortage of other attacking threats as Emma Harden (38), Zan Biedenharn (33), and Marissa Davey (32) each return after 30-plus goal seasons in 2017.

The defense is anchored by Meagh Graham, a redshirt-senior who returns in goal for the Hokies after setting the program record with a 9.64 goals against average last season.

Nearly all of Tech’s defensive unit returns, including seniors Kelly Glatthorn, Carly Primo, Kristen Kohles and Brittney Van Veldhuisen.

Tech’s roster features 15 newcomers, including Oregon transfer Julia Bolte, an attacker who scored 32 points for the Ducks last year – 24 of which were assists.

Sung and the Hokies have a challenging schedule in front of them, facing nine teams ranked in the preseason Inside Lacrosse poll and a total of 10 teams that were included in the field of 26 for the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

Southern California makes the trip to the east coast after advancing to the NCAA Quarterfinals a season ago, falling to national runner-up Boston College. The Trojans owned an 18-4 record and return three players named to preseason All-America teams.

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