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	1	2	F
Virginia Tech (9-4-1)	1	1	2
Syracuse (7-5-2)	0	1	1
SU Soccer Stadium - 347 Box Score

In a back-and-forth affair, the Virginia Tech women’s soccer team defeated Syracuse, 2-1, recording its first Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) victory of the season on Thursday evening, at SU Soccer Stadium, in Syracuse, New York.

Sophomore Kristina Diana’s goal in the 19th minute was the only true goal of the night, as both squads recorded one own goal apiece late in the second half. Syracuse (7-5-2, 0-4-1) tied the game at 1-1 with a Tech (9-4-1, 1-3-1) own goal in the 71st minute. The Orange returned the favor in the 86th minute, giving the Hokies the cushion they needed with four minutes remaining in regulation.

On Tech’s first chance of the night, Diana netted her second goal of the season, placing the ball passed a diving Courtney Brosnan. Juniors Laila Gray and Madi Conyers each recorded a helper on the play, as Gray started the passing sequence. The Fairfax, Virginia, native sent a through ball to Conyers inside the 18-yard box, who then crossed the ball perfectly to a waiting Diana for an easy shot from six-yards out.

The Hokies were persistent in their offensive attack all evening, creating multiple opportunities at the net. Tech held a 16-12 advantage in shots, placing seven on-frame. Seven of Tech’s shots came in a strong second half for the Hokie offense, with six going on-goal.

Among those second-half opportunities was an awarded penalty kick in the 84th minute. Senior midfielder Candance Cephers took a strike at the net, but could not connect, as SU’s goalkeeper was there to make the play.

Freshman goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn made seven saves in her 14th start as a Hokie, while Brosnan stopped five.

HEAD COACH CHUGGER ADAIR QUOTES

“We were happy to get those points on the road. It’s our first conference win, and we are happy with it. We are going to build off tonight’s game heading into Sunday’s match. We created chances tonight. We had a really good first goal. Diana scored off a good pass from Conyers. Again, we created the chances that we needed to pull out a victory.”

“The second half was a little different. It was a little more dangerous. We let the game slip away a little bit, but I was happy with our performance and the way we grinded it out toward the end. It was a weird way to win with an own goal, but we scored their goal too. In a way, it was fair.”

“It (the early goal) forced them to chase the game a little bit. I talked to the girls at half time about putting away our chances. We had a lot of chances, but we couldn’t connect. Those chances allowed us to control the game a little bit easier. One mistake in the back, and we are level. We missed the penalty kick, and their keeper made a great save on the play. We have to build off tonight’s win and be ready to go against BC. They are a good team.”

NOTES

With tonight’s victory, the Hokies now hold a 5-2 all-time series edge over the Orange and have won five of the last six contests … Tech has not lost to Syracuse since the 2003 season, when both squads were members of the BIG EAST Conference … Tonight’s victory also was the Hokies first win since concluding their nonconference schedule against Longwood on Sept. 13, in Blacksburg … Diana had a game-high five shots, tallying three on-goal, followed by senior forward Murielle Tiernan with three shots … Redshirt sophomore defender Kelsey Irwin also record two shots on-frame … The Hokies earned a 5-2 edge in corner kicks.

NEXT UP

The Hokies continue their weekend road trip at Boston College on Sunday, Oct. 9, with first kick from Newton Campus Lacrosse and Soccer Field set for 1 p.m. Links for live stats are available at HokieSports.com.

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 Follow @VT_WSoccer