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BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech women’s soccer team roared back from an early deficit to earn a 4-1 victory over Appalachian State on Thursday evening in the Hokies’ only exhibition match of the season.

The match, which was played in three 30-minute periods, seemed to be in control of the Hokies early, as they tallied seven of the first eight shots. However, it was the Mountaineers who struck first, taking advantage of an unfortunate bounce for the Hokies.

After a Tech pass inadvertently glanced off the referee in the midfield, Appalachian forward Samantha Childress took a touch in stride and blasted a shot from 35 yards that dipped just under the bar to put the Mountaineers up 1-0 in the 22nd minute.

Despite the scoreline, the Hokies continued to press forward, taking an 8-2 advantage in shots into the second 30-minute period.

After the first break, Tech found the back of the net four separate times within 14 minutes. Junior Ellie Zoepfl started the scoring in the 35th minute, after Appalachian goalkeeper Megan Roberson parried her close-range header. Despite being on the ground, Zoepfl got a foot to the ball and knocked in the rebound to level the match at 1-1.

Freshman Candace Cephers tallied the eventual game-winner in the 43rd minute as she slid through the box to poke in a free kick from sophomore Jordan Coburn and give the Hokies a 2-1 lead.

Senior Ashley Manning doubled Tech’s lead less than a minute later from 13 yards out, volleying home a cross from sophomore Morgan Conklin to make the margin 3-1.

Zoepfl completed her brace and rounded out the scoring in the 48th minute as she got her head to a cross from junior Katie Yensen and nodded it past Roberson to cap the 4-1 victory.

“It was good for us to be able to come back after sort of an unfortunate goal,” Head Coach Chugger Adair said. “To come back and score four goals, this was a great team effort for us tonight.”

On the evening, Tech owned a 17-4 advantage in shots and took six corner kicks to the Mountaineers’ two. Senior goalkeeper Dayle Colpitts, who started the match for the Hokies, recorded Tech’s only save of the match.

In all, 10 Hokies recorded at least one shot, with six tallying at least a pair. Zoepfl led the way with a trio of shots on goal, including her two goals.

“Moving forward, this was a great chance for us to see how some of our new kids fit in and see how our team meshes as a whole,” Adair said. “We’re excited and we’re looking forward to opening the season at home next week against High Point. This was a good win for us.”

For updates on Virginia Tech women's soccer, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_WSoccer).