Hokies, Heels to meet in ACC tilt Wednesday

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(17) Virginia Tech (9-4) 4812
(5) North Carolina (7-3) 6713
  • Kenan Stadium - 295

BLACKSBURG – The seventeenth-ranked Virginia Tech lacrosse team will head to Chapel Hill, North Carolina for its first league road contest of the season Wednesday. First draw from Keenan Stadium is set for 5 p.m. with coverage available on ACC Network Extra.

Last week, the Hokies concluded the non-conference portion of their schedule, routing VCU 22-7 and getting by Elon 14-12 on Saturday.

Paige Petty had an outstanding week, accounting for 12 goals. In the rout of VCU, the freshman scored five goals and dished out two assists, while also grabbing three draw controls. On Saturday, Petty led the Hokies in scoring again with three goals and two more assists.

On the season Petty has 32 points, tied with senior Tristan McGinley for most on the squad.

The Hokies are second in the ACC standings at 2-0 after wins over Duke and Notre Dame, the program’s first against the Irish. Boston College sits in first position at 3-0.

Fifth-ranked North Carolina (6-3) is 1-1 in the league after opening conference action March 10 with a 13-9 victory over Virginia. Last time out, on Saturday, the Heels fell to Boston College 17-11 on the road.

The Heels are led in scoring by a pair of seniors and Tewaaraton Aware watch list members, Marie McCool and Ela Hazar. McCool owns 33 goals and six assists on the season and Hazar is responsible for 36 goals herself, 25 of which coming from assists.

Tech and Carolina have two played two common opponents in 2018, James Madison and Elon. Both teams lost to the Dukes and defeated the Phoenix.

The series: Tech has never beaten North Carolina in 24 previous attempts. Last season in Blacksburg, the Heels took home a 14-6 win behind a balance scoring attack that saw five players record 2 or more goals.

The Hokies were led in that game by Kristine Loscalzo’s three goals, and on the defensive end, Meagh Graham came up with 13 saves.

Next up: Tech will continue its road swing on Saturday, March 31 when they take on the Louisville Cardinals from UofL Lacrosse Stadium. First draw is slated for 1 p.m. and can be seen on ACC Network Extra.

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