1 | 2 | F | |
---|---|---|---|
Virginia Tech (3-1-0) | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Long Beach State (2-2-0) | 1 | 1 | 2 |
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COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The No. 16 Hokies fell to Long Beach State, 2-1, despite maintaining a slight possession advantage throughout the match. Senior Jennifer Harvey was the lone goal-scorer for Tech, while Nadia Link led the way for the 49ers with two goals.
"We lost to a very good and well organized Long Beach State team today," head coach Kelly Cagle said after the match. "They stepped up today and really played well all weekend. That said, we didn't come to win this game today, both in execution of our plan and in desire. As their leader I will take the responsibility to be sure we are more prepared and more efficient our next time out."
Tech (2-2-0) dominated play in the opening minutes of the game, taking three corner kicks and two shots right away. The Hokies continued to dominate possession, only allowing the 49ers (3-1-0) to take one shot in the first 30 minutes.
In the 33rd minute the 49ers would get just their second opportunity on goal when a Tech foul awarded them a free kick. Karina Camacho got the ball to Link, who lifted it from just outside the penalty box and into the back of the net for the game’s first goal.
Fouls would plague both teams throughout the first period, as the Hokies racked up six and Long Beach State was called on four. Senior Kelly Lynch was also given a yellow card in the 43rd minute for her aggressive play.
After the break, in the 59th minute, the 49ers struck again when Shawna Gordon crossed the ball to Link, who fired quickly from inside the six-yard box.
The Hokies would not let the two-goal deficit slow their attack and they continued to aggressively possess the ball in Long Beach State’s end of the field, taking seven corner kicks in the first 15 minutes of the new period.
In the 71st minute, Tech would finally capitalize on a corner when senior Marika Gray served the ball in to Harvey, who buried it from the top of the six-yard box for her third goal of the season.
The Hokies outshot the 49ers 15-8 in the game and 6-4 on target, but Long Beach State was much more productive, putting away two of their four attempts on goal.
Freshman Dayle Colpitts made two saves in the game, while Long Beach State’s Emily Kingsborough tallied four.
"The good thing is that we are 2-2 right now and we have many more quality opportunities ahead of us to define who we are moving forward from here," Coach Cagle said, reflecting on the outcome and looking ahead to the next challenge.
The Hokies return to action next weekend as they travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., for the ACC/SEC Challenge. Tech’s first opponent will be Kentucky, on Friday, Sept. 3 at 5 p.m.
For updates on Virginia Tech women's soccer, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_WSoccer).