Busy Homecoming Weekend begins final home stand for Hokies

Women's soccer hosts No. 5 UNC on Thursday and NC State on Sunday

October 18, 2017

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech women’s soccer team will begin a three-game home stand on Thursday, as they host fifth-ranked North Carolina at 7 p.m. at Thompson Field. Homecoming Weekend continues on Sunday evening, as Tech hosts NC State on Senior Day. Game time is 5:30 p.m.

The Hokies enter the weekend 7-4-4 overall and 1-3-3 in ACC action, coming off a big 2-1 win at Notre Dame on Sunday morning. Tech trailed 1-0 at the half, but scored two goals after intermission, the first by Madi Conyers and the second by Jordan Hemmen, to secure the victory.

The Hokies are 2-13 all-time against the Tar Heel and are looking for their first win against UNC since a 1-0 win at Thompson Field in 2011. Tech is 2-5 against UNC in Blacksburg. Tech is 9-4 all-time against the Wolfpack. Tech has won the last eight meetings in the series and is 9-2 in ACC contests against NC State. Tech has won the last three meetings against State in Blacksburg.

Tech is led in scoring by Alani Johnson. Three of her four goals have been of the game-winning variety, placing here among the league leaders in that category. This season, 10 different Hokies have recorded goals for Tech. Defensively, Mandy McGlynn is leading a staunch back line, which is allowing just 16 goals in as many matches this season.

North Carolina enters the match 11-2 overall and 7-0 in ACC action. The Tar Heels are ranked fifth in both the USC and TopDrawerSoccer.com polls. UNC is led by Alessia Russo with eight goals and Corian Bailey and Joanna Boyles, with six goals each. Samantha Leshnak has seven shutouts in goal for UNC.

NC State enters the weekend 10-4-1 overall and 3-3-1 in conference play. The Wolfpack hosts Clemson on Thursday night before traveling to Blacksburg. Tziarra King leads NCSU with nine goals and Richarda Walkling has added four more. NC State has used a trio of goalkeepers this season. Sydney Wootten has six shutouts and a 7-4-1 record in goal.

Thursday night begins a three-match home stand that will close out the regular season. Following the UNC and NC State matches, Tech will host Syracuse at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26. The UNC match will be Cancer Awareness Night, along with being a Hokies4Hokies match and Student Hokie Club match.

Sunday evening will be the annual Senior Night, as the Hokies will honor Madi Conyers, Alani Johnson, Kari Johnston, Kallie Peurifoy and Michelle White in a pregame ceremony.

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