Hokies hold off Irish, advance to 2-0 in ACC play

Tech's 9-6 victory Sunday afternoon serves as program's first over Notre Dame

March 11, 2018

	1	2	F
(17) Notre Dame (5-3 (1-2))	1	5	6
Virginia Tech (6-3 (2-0))	6	3	9
Indoor Practice - 281 Box Score Photo Gallery

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech knocked off its second ranked foe in consecutive games, defeating No. 17 Notre Dame 9-6 from the Indoor Practice Facility Sunday, improving to 2-0 in ACC play.

“I’m pretty happy for the kids to get this win,” John Sung said. “We’ve been working so hard for this and wanted to get another one. To be 2-0 in the ACC again is nice and now we just have to keep it going. This was one of the hardest weeks, playing three ranked teams in a week and to come out 2-1, I’m pretty happy.”

Tech scored the game’s first five goals, getting on the board through Emma Harden four minutes in. Tristan McGinley doubled the advantage taking a pass from Julia Bolte and turning it into the net, before Bolte added a goal of her own to give Tech a 3-0 lead.

Mary Claire Byrne, Taylor Caskey and Paige Petty also found the net before halftime as the Hokies led 8-1.

Trusting the process everyday. 1st program win vs. ND. Proud of this team! #LetsGoHokies 🦃 https://t.co/rgml6Wjyv0

— John Sung (@VTLaxCoach) March 11, 2018

“For us to get our first program win against them just means a lot,” Sung said. “I know it means a lot to these seniors, who are working their tail off. They know for us to go through this process you have to go compete for 60 minutes and that’s what they did.”

“I thought Meagh Graham played really well," remarked Sung. "She controlled our defense, our defense let up one goal against them in the first half that’s a crazy stat but our defense was locked in and she's the leader of that group.”

Graham made nine saves and came up with two ground balls on the afternoon, causing one turnover.

The Hokies made more hustle plays all game long, collecting 17 ground balls to the Irish’s 11.

Tech’s defense was particularly stout Sunday afternoon, holding the Irish to 21 shots and only 2 of 9 on free position opportunities. The one goal scored in the first half was Notre Dame’s fewest in a half this season.

Andie Aldave led the Irish in scoring with three goals, while Savannah Buchanan tallied three points and Nikki Ortega added two assists for Notre Dame (5-3, 1-2).

UP NEXT: Tech takes on the Delaware Blue Hens at Thompson Field on Sunday, March 18 at 12 p.m.

The Hokies are 2-3 all-time against Delaware most recently winning a 15-7 contest in Newark last season.

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