Tweet

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- The Virginia Tech women’s soccer team will look to continue its good run of play as it travels to NC State on Thursday evening to kick off the second half of a four-match Atlantic Coast Conference road trip.

Tech earned its second straight ACC road win on Sunday afternoon, as the Hokies took down Boston College, 1-0. Junior Katie Yensen’s third-minute penalty kick proved to be the difference, as the Hokie defense turned in another stellar performance, earning Tech its third shutout in as many matches.

The match was hard-fought throughout, as the sides combined for only 18 shots, including just six on goal. Senior goalkeeper Dayle Colpitts made six saves in the victory.

Nine players have found the back of the net for the Hokies this year, led by senior Jazmine Reeves with seven. Just behind her is a pair of underclassmen, as sophomore Ashley Meier and freshman Murielle Tiernan have each recorded five goals so far. Reeves and Tiernan each have four assists on the year, tied for most on the team.

The Hokies are now 8-1-1 on the season, after going undefeated in non-conference play for the second consecutive season. Tech is also yet to give up more than two goals in any match this season.

The Hokies’ efforts have propelled them into national rankings, as Tech sits at No. 16 in the NSCAA/Continental Tire Poll and No. 19 in Top Drawer Soccer’s national poll. In 2013’s first RPI rankings, released this week, the Hokies checked in at No. 10 nationally.

NC State enters Thursday’s match having vastly improved from last season’s 5-14 mark that included 10 ACC losses. The Wolfpack has started 6-4-0 in 2013, including four straight wins to begin the year. Despite a 1-3-0 ACC mark thus far, NC State has lost just one conference match by more than a goal, a 3-1 defeat to then-No. 8 Notre Dame.

Jackie Stengel has paced the Wolfpack so far this season, tallying a team-high seven goals on 30 shots. Five different players have scored a total of 18 goals for NC State this season, while nine members of the team have notched at least one assist this season. Mackenzie Stelljes has started all but two matches in goal, making 42 saves en route to a 1.12 goals-against-average.

In the 11 matches between the two programs, the Hokies hold a 7-4 advantage, including wins in the last six matches. Tech has not allowed a goal in the series since a 2-1 loss in Blacksburg in 2006. Last season in Blacksburg, a pair of goals from then-sophomore Shannon Mayrose carried the Hokies to a 3-0 victory.

This is the 10th consecutive year that Tech has faced NC State, with all 10 contests coming during the regular season. It is also the second straight match in which the Hokies have been nationally ranked entering the match.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday evening. Live stats will be available.

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