October 16, 2015
Hokies push No. 7 Notre Dame to 2OT, draw 0-0
Tech records its third shutout in last four games
12OT2 OTF
(7) Notre Dame (8-2-4) 00000
Virginia Tech (5-5-3) 00000
  • Thompson Field - 1,084

BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech men’s soccer team picked up a point in Atlantic Coast Conference play as they pushed No. 7 Notre Dame to the brink in a 0-0 double-overtime draw on Friday night.

The Hokies had command of chances and possession for much of the game and in regulation outshot the Fighting Irish by a margin of 9-7 with shots on goal being even at 2-2.

With the draw, the Hokies move to 5-5-3, 0-3-3 while Notre Dame goes to 8-2-4, 3-1-3. It was the third ranked team Tech has been able to get a result from this season. The Hokies now have 3 points in conference play and came into the game fourth in the Coastal Division ahead of Pittsburgh and Duke.

For the Hokies, Merlin Baus and Dylan Huber tied with a team-high three shots each while Som Essome and Daniel Lauretano were each able to put a shot on goal. Ben Lundgaard wasn’t tested often but came up with two big saves in the contest.

In the first half, the Hokies came out ready to play as Lauretano had the first shot and chance of the game in the fourth minute. Lauretano dribbled in from the right side of the box and took a left-footed shot that hit off the near post. Just less than a minute later, Huber got on the end of a cross and his header also hit off the post.

The Hokies again had a few chances in the second stanza as Lauretano took a shot from 25-yards that was caught by Hubbard in the 64th minute. The Hokies would have another great opportunity in the 75th minute as Baus took a long range volley that curved in and then back out going inches wide of the right post.

In the overtime periods, neither team was able to put a shot on goal as Notre Dame held a slight 3-1 edge in total shots in the two extra periods. It was the fourth overtime game Tech has played in this season with three of the four games resulting in draws.

Defensively, the backline held a Notre Dame team that ranked T-21st in the country in scoring offense without a goal and recorded their third shutout in the last four games. Notre Dame had four players record two shots but only Jon Gallagher and Jeffrey Farina were able to get a shot on target. Irish goalkeeper Chris Hubbard was credited with the shutout and made two saves.

Tech will be back on the road on Tuesday night as they travel to Charlotte, N.C. to take on the Charlotte 49ers.

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