Hokies head to second round after 2-0 win over Air Force

Acuna, Lundgaard, Verfurth lead Tech to victory

November 17, 2017

	1	2	F
Air Force (14-3-3)	0	0	0
Virginia Tech (10-9)	0	2	2
Thompson Field - 440 Box Score Photo Gallery

BLACKSBURG – Two goals in a span of three minutes was the difference Thursday night at Thompson Field, as the Hokies advanced past Air Force and into the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season.

Senior captains Marcelo Acuna and Collin Verfurth combined for the Hokies’ first goal in the 54^th minute to get Tech off and running. Verfurth forced a turnover, and Acuna was onto the loose ball, carrying it into the Air Force half and drawing defenders with him. As he approached the top of the box, he looked up and found Verfurth wide open at the back post. With the keeper out of position, Verfurth slotted home the finish, his fourth of the year.

Just three minutes later, Acuna saw his name make its way into the scoring column, as he fired home the rebound from his own shot that was saved to double the advantage.

Air Force looked to get on the board late with efforts from Austin Dewing and Tucker Bone, but the Hokies’ defense stood firm.

Tech outshot the Falcons 21-15 and earned more corner kicks, 6-5.

In goal, Ben Lundgaard made seven saves, recording another shutout, his sixth of 2017. That takes his career tally to 23, which is just one shy of Chase Harrison’s program record.

Up next: Tech will travel to the national No. 7 seed Michigan State for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Sunday. The Hokies and Spartans have never met on the pitch before.

Last year in the Tournament, Tech took down Big Ten and national power Indiana.

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