BLACKSBURG, Va. -- The 12th-ranked Virginia Tech women’s soccer team will return to Thompson Field for the first time in five matches on Thursday evening, when the Hokies welcome Clemson to Blacksburg for a 7 p.m. contest.
Virginia Tech wrapped up its longest road trip since 2001 with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Duke on Sunday afternoon. After a scoreless first half, Ashley Meier scored the Hokies’ only goal on the afternoon, volleying home a long-range cross from Kelsey Loupee in the 67th minute. It was Meier’s second goal in as many matches.
Ten different players have scored a total of 31 goals for the Hokies in 2013. Senior Jazmine Reeves and Meier have led the way so far, tallying seven goals each in the first 12 matches of the season. Freshman Murielle Tiernan has scored five goals to go with four assists, tied for most on the team with Reeves.
The Hokies are now 9-1-2 on the season, including a 4-1-1 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference play, 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.
Tech’s efforts have propelled it into national rankings, as the Hokies sit at No. 12 in the NSCAA/Continental Tire Poll and No. 14 in Soccer America’s national poll. In the RPI rankings, released weekly by the NCAA, the Hokies check in at No. 11.
Clemson enters Thursday’s match with a 6-2-3 mark on the year, including a 3-1-1 record in conference play. This past week, the Tigers went on the road to beat Syracuse 1-0, before returning home to earn a 1-1 draw against then No. 3 Florida State. For their efforts, the Tigers received votes in this week’s NSCAA National Poll.
Vanessa Laxgang has led the Clemson offense in 2013, scoring five goals so far, including the Tigers’ goal in their 1-1 draw against FSU. Freshman midfielder Tori Andreski has also made an immediate impact, racking up four assists to lead the team.
Freshman goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan has been the only Tiger to mind the net in 2013, posting a 0.64 goals-against-average in 11 matches, tallying 32 saves along the way.
Tech has faced off against Clemson nine times in its history, posting a 4-2-3 record against the Tigers. The Hokies have dominated the series in recent years, winning each of the last four contests, including a trio of 3-0 victories in the previous three meetings. In last year’s match, a 3-0 victory at Clemson, Meier, Jordan Coburn and Ashley Manning all found the back of the net for Tech.
Kickoff for Thursday’s match is scheduled for 7 p.m. Live stats will be available for the contest, as well as live video on HokiesXtra.
For updates on Virginia Tech women's soccer, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_WSoccer).