What we've learned about the Hokies after defeating Campbell 17-8 on Wednesday

Hokies winning with youth, defense heading into the start of ACC play

February 22, 2018

Tech took the field on Wednesday against Campbell and lined up with four newcomers in the starting lineup, one of which was Emma Crooks. Making her first start, she stood in the circle waiting to take the draw.

The first few minutes of the game were nervy, as the Camels scored the game’s first two goals from Sarah Paul and Tina Ricci.

Tech got into the game after Kara Recihert’s strike followed by Crooks’ first goal of the day and Emma Harden’s goal made it a 3-0 run, putting the Hokies ahead for good.

It’s safe to say that Crooks’ first start was a successful one. All the freshman from Great Falls, Virginia did was score nine points (eight goals and one assist) while winning five draw controls on the afternoon. Her eight goals came on eight shots and is tied for the second highest total a Hokie has ever had in a single game.

Through four games, Crooks leads Tech in points with 11 points.

Fourteen different Hokies have found the back of the net in 2018.

Bolte lends a helping hand – Julia Bolte, a sophomore transfer from the University of Oregon also had a standout performance against the Camels. She racked up five assists, something few other Tech players in history have done.

Bolte has fit right into the offensive system, starting three games and tallying eight points.

Graham steady in goal – Redshirt senior Meagh Graham came out with 13 big saves Wednesday, including several during a two-minute stretch where the Hokies were shorthanded due to a yellow card.

Graham recorded also recorded two ground balls and a caused turnover. The grad student had one of the best season’s a goalie has ever had last year setting the program record for lowest goal against average and winning 10 games, for the first time since 2012.

ACC play begins Saturday – The Hokies will start their 2018 league campaign on Saturday afternoon, when they welcome the tenth-ranked Duke Blue Devils into the Indoor Practice Facility. Already the third, top 10 team that Tech will face, head coach John Sung hopes that the squad can take lessons from its opening week losses to USC and JMU.

Last season, the Hokies won two league games for the first time ever, which included taking down Duke for the first time in program history and an upset over Boston College, a team that went on to be the national runner-up.

First draw is set for 3 p.m. with live stats available on Hokiesports.com.

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