September 13, 2016
Tiernan pushes No. 17 Tech to win
The Hokies claimed a 1-0 win over the Lancers to close their nonconference schedule
12F
Longwood (2-6) 000
Virginia Tech (8-1) 101
  • Thompson Field - 207

BLACKSBURG – A goal from senior forward Murielle Tiernan in the 17th minute was all the No. 17 Virginia Tech women’s soccer team needed, as the Hokies earned a 1-0 victory over Longwood, today, at Thompson Field.

Tech (8-1) suffocated the Lancers (2-6) in its seventh meeting between the squads, finishing with a 25-2 shot advantage. The Hokies placed 12 on-frame, forcing LU’s goalkeeper Maria Kirby to make 11 saves, while Tech’s goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn recorded her fifth shutout of the season. Tech also earned a 9-2 edge in corner kicks.

Tiernan, a 2016 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy candidate, was in perfect position for her fifth goal of the season, pouncing on a pass from junior midfielder Laila Gray to take an in-stride shot from inside the box. Tiernan shot the ball around Kirby, placing the ball near the far right post to put the Hokies on the scoreboard in the 17th minute.

Fresh out of the locker room, Gray was awarded a penalty kick in the 47th minute. Gray stuck the ball hard toward the far right post, but couldn’t get passed the outstretched hands of Kirby for the score.

Following the penalty kick, Tech had a flurry of opportunities at the net, recording eight shots on goal in the second half, but could not seem to connect. Sophomore forward Caroline Kerns had a great chance at the net in the 86th minute, as Kirby stepped out of the goalie box to block a previous shot from Tech, but Longwood’s backline stepped in to record the team save on the play.

With the win, the Hokies improved to 7-0 all-time against the Lancers.

HEAD COACH CHUGGER ADAIR QUOTES

“I thought we controlled the game from start to finish. We were definitely the aggressor. We weren’t as sharp around the goal early, and it left us with a result that was closer than it should’ve been. We were all over them for much of the game.”

“We definitely have been balancing minutes the last three games. It’s been important for us. We are opening conference play on Friday, and it’s a big game for us. We have been trying to balancing that as much as we can, and we want to give the kids an opportunity. I was happy that we got the win today, and we are able to move forward.”

“Some kids did some good things, and we saw some inconsistencies from others. We have to work on that. We know where we are at, and the girls have to bring the effort every day.”

NOTES

Tech held Longwood to a season-low two shots … The Hokies finished their nonconference slate with an overall record of 8-1, falling to Ohio State, 2-1, on Sept. 1 in Blacksburg … Five of the team’s eight wins have been shutouts … Madi Conyers had a team-best three shots on-goal today, followed by Alani Johnson and Laila Gray with two.

NEXT UP

The Hokies open Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play on the road with a match against in-state rival No. 3 Virginia on Friday, Sept. 16, at Klockner Stadium, in Charlottesville, Virginia. The match will be streamed live on the ACC Network Extra through WatchESPN and the ESPN app.

FOLLOW ALONG

Fans can follow all the action during each match of the 2016 season by following the squad on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

For updates on Virginia Tech women's soccer, follow the Hokies on Twitter

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