Oct. 30, 2008 BLACKSBURG, Va. - Junior forward Jill Hutchinson's goal in the 52nd minute lifted No. 19 Wake Forest (11-6-0, 4-5-0 ACC) to a 2-1 conference win over Virginia Tech (9-7-2, 3-4-2 ACC) on Thursday night at Virginia Tech Soccer Stadium. "This is a great win for us on the road," head coach Tony da Luz said. "Virginia Tech has played everyone in the conference so tough this season. To get a win at their place at this point in the season, I'm really happy with the team." The victory for Wake Forest clinches a spot in the ACC Tournament, scheduled for November 5-9 in Cary, N.C. After tonight's win, the Deacons are currently the sixth seed in the tournament with 12 points. Wake Forest was able to outshoot the Hokies, holding an 11-7 shot advantage. The Deacs had five corner kicks compared to three for Virginia Tech. Both teams attempted three corner kicks. With the score tied at one, Wake Forest took the lead for the first time in the game with 38:23 left in the second half. Hutchinson fired a shot from 22 yards out that went inside the left post, past the diving Hokie goalkeeper to give the Deacons a 2-1 edge The Hokies had another good chance with just over 12 minutes remaining in the game. Off a long throw in, Laurie Beth Puglisi headed the ball from inside the six-yard box, but the ball went right to Morse, who made the save. Virginia Tech nearly scored the equalizer with 10:30 left in the game. Puglisi again headed the ball from just outside the six but Morse was able to make a leaping save, sending the ball over the net. Virginia Tech had one final chance with two seconds remaining. Kelly Lynch's free kick from 24 yards out found the head of a Hokie player, but the ball went wide as time expired and Wake Forest held on for the victory. Virginia Tech scored first in the 10th minute. Emily Jukich chipped a shot over the head of Wake Forest goalkeeper Laura Morse from 20 yards out to give the Hokies a 1-0 advantage.
It appeared that the Hokies had taken a two goal advantage with just under 31 minutes remaining in the first half as Jukich found the right side of the net. However, the linesman on the far side of the field ruled that Jukich was offsides. Wake Forest evened the game at one in the 20th minute. Amanda Howell played a pass to Smerdzinski down the right side of the field. Smerdzinski dribbled the ball around a few defenders and fired a shot from just outside the 6-yard box that snuck inside the left post. The goal was Smerdzinski's fourth of the season. Bianca D'Agostino had a great chance to give Wake Forest a lead with 13 minutes left in the first half. Off a long pass from Caitlin Farrell, D'Agostino found herself one-on-one with the Hokie goalkeeper. D'Agostino's shot from 14 yards out went just wide of the left post. Morse picked up her eighth win of the season in goal, making two saves. Hokie goalkeeper Kristin Carden also made two stops in the contest. Wake Forest closes the regular season on Sunday, traveling to Charlottesville, Va., to meet No. 8 Virginia. Opening kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (ET). |
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