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Game Notes

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech men's soccer team will hit the road for the first time this season as they will play two games in Cincinnati, starting off with the University of Cincinnati Bearcats.

Tech enters the game coming off a tough season-opening loss to UNC-Greensboro, 1-0 in double overtime. Tech outshot the visitors 17-10 and dominated possesion and chances for most of the game. Ricardo John had three breakways either saved or hit off the crossbar. The Spartans finally capitalized on a goal in the 106th minute of the game.

This is their first road game of 2015. The Hokies are 8-3 all-time against the University of Cincinatti but haven’t met since 2011. In 2011, Virginia Tech beat Cincinnati 2-1 in Blacksburg, Va.

Before 2011, the Hokies and Bearcats hadn’t faced off since 1991. Between 1979-1991, the teams played 10 times mainly as Metropolitan Collegiate Athletic Conference foes.

Cincinnati returns 17 letterwinners from last year’s squad and only lost five. The Bearcats have started off the season with back-to-back wins over Northern Kentucky (3-2) and Valparaiso (1-0 in OT). The game against Virginia Tech will conclude a three-game homestand for Cincinnati.

They team returns seven starters from last season including senior forward John Manga who was a unanimous selection for the American Athletic Conference preseason Offensive Player of the Year this year. Manga was named first team All-American Conference selection last year as he scored 10 goals to go along with two assists.

Manga’s 10 goals allowed him to finish 24th nationally in goals scored in 2014. In addtion to Manga, the Bearcats also return a key piece in redshirt junior goalkeeper Alex Gill.

Gill will be begin his third consecutive year as the main starter in goal. He has posted a .667 save percentage so far in two games this season. Alejandro Garcia has a team-high two goals for Cincinnati while Emmanuel Applah and Nick Melville have each scored one goal.

The game is set for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Gettler Stadium.

For updates on Virginia Tech men's soccer, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_MSoccer