Electric Second Half Propels Virginia Tech Women’s Soccer Past NC State

By: David Cunningham | Managing Editor
The Hokies won Thursday night’s game over NC State thanks to three second-half goals. (Virginia Tech sports photography)

Three second-half goals from Taylor Bryan, Natalie Mitchell and Samantha DeGuzman propelled Virginia Tech women’s soccer past NC State on Thursday night in a 4-1 win at Thompson Field.

“I was pleased with the energy we had going forward,” Tech head coach Chugger Adair after the win. “I think we created a number of good chances, and we talked about shooting through windows and shooting through gaps and I think the ladies did a good job of that, scored a couple of really good goals.”

Left back Eden Skyers scored an Olimpico — she curled a corner kick into the goal with her left foot — in the 19th minute to open the scoring for the Hokies (6-4-3, 3-2 ACC).

Scoring off a corner is rare — Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. Women’s National Team did it a handful of times on the world’s biggest stage, most recently in the Tokyo Olympics — and it was the first time ever Skyers accomplished the feat.

“Honestly, I’m just as shocked as you guys, to be honest,” Skyers said afterwards. “It was amazing to do that. … At first, I was like, ‘Did that just go top bins?’ And then I just ran straight to Dori [Haugen] and gave her a hug, ran to our bench and saw the lights. It was just amazing.”

Virginia Tech didn’t have momentum for long, however. NC State (1-7-5, 0-3-2 ACC) leveled the game in the 21st minute off a set piece when Mitchell conceded a free kick outside the box. It was whipped in from Wolfpack midfielder Emika Kawagishi and found the head of Taylor Chism, who flicked it across the mouth of the goal. Alexis Strickland connected, making it one-all.

The game changed after halftime, though. The Hokies surged, and goalkeeper Alia Skinner had a brilliant save on a one-on-one opportunity against Strickland in the 61st minute that kept the team in the game.

“Skinner made a tremendous save to keep it one-one,” Adair said. “That was a massive turning point for us in addition to the goals. … She’s confident, she’s going to make big saves and she’s been solid when she’s been called upon.”

It was a crucial moment in the game considering what followed. Two minutes later, Tech attacked the other way and DeGuzman slipped a ball through to Bryan. She finished her breakaway opportunity by megging NC State keeper Olivia Pratapas, her second goal of the year, to put Tech up 2-1. It was a team-high fourth assist on the season for DeGuzman.

Eden Skyers and the Hokies sit in sixth place in the ACC heading into a critical showdown on Sunday vs. No. 9 Clemson. (Virginia Tech sports photography)

Tech wasn’t done yet, though. Mitchell got ahold of the ball at the top of the box less than 10 minutes later and ripped a shot from the right side, which floated into the top-left corner. She has seven goals through 13 contests, which ranks second in the ACC.

And in almost identical fashion, DeGuzman hit a banger of her own five minutes later, placing the ball in the top-left corner from about 23 yards out. Her third goal of the year sealed Tech’s 4-1 win, the third conference victory in five tries.

“I saw them backing up and I was like, ‘All right, I’m taking the shot,’” DeGuzman said. “I prepped it and took it and it went in, so it was great.”

The performance gives the Hokies some momentum heading into a Sunday afternoon contest vs. No. 9 Clemson. Tech currently sits in sixth in the league standings; the Tigers (9-1-2, 3-1 ACC) are one spot higher in fifth.

“It was really important for us,” Adair said of Thursday night’s result. “We felt like it was a must-win game for us to try to keep our hopes alive in the tournament, for the ACC tournament, as well as the NCAA tournament. Dropping a few games early in the season made it a little tighter right now and we want to make sure we keep pushing so we’re kind of around when the selection show comes around.”

Box Score: Virginia Tech 4, NC State 1

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  2. David…do you have any info on Powell leaving the team?

    Anything that can be shared while respecting privacy, of course…

    1. I had not heard anything until after the game last night. She’s no longer on the roster and was not on the sidelines last night. I’ll try to find out more, but it seems like a very quiet ordeal.

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