Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. – Senior Drew Ranahan saw the field for the last time during senior night as the Virginia Tech men’s soccer team tied Pittsburgh 0-0 at Thompson Field on Friday evening.
Tech (7-5-1, 2-3-1 ACC) was outshot by the Panthers (3-7-4, 0-4-2 ACC) 21-14. Pitt also held a 17-6 advantage in corner kicks.
Ranahan, one of the Hokies’ three captains this season, was sidelined earlier this year with a season-ending injury. Despite that fact, Ranahan’s years of dedication and hard work paid off as he earned the start for Tech. After a minute had passed, the ball rolled out of bounds and Ranahan exited the field to a standing ovation from several Hokie fans.
In the eighth minute of the match, Pittsburgh’s Kevin Angulo headed a ball towards the goal that forced freshman Ben Lundgaard to make a save. Four minutes later, Lundgaard was called to action again when Pitt’s Stephane Pierre headed a ball towards the goal.
Sophomore Som Essome rattled off a pair of shots in the 22nd and 23rd minutes, but Pitt goalkeeper Dan Lynd was able to thwart both attempts. Pittsburgh responded with a shot of their own in the 24th minute that was again stopped by Lundgaard.
In the 28th minute, freshman Ricardo John hit a shot with his left foot that sailed just high of the goal. Neither team was able to produce any more quality chances and Tech went into halftime tied with Pitt 0-0.
At the break, Ben Lundgaard had made three total saves to keep the score level, while Pitt led 8-6 in shots.
Early in the second half, Lundgaard was forced to make another save when Pitt’s Hamish Law hit a shot that Lundgaard corralled in the 51st minute.
The Hokies responded with an opportunity of their own in the 53rd minute when Essome sit a driven ball to the head of freshman Ricardo John. It seemed as if John’s header would find the back of the net, but his opportunity missed just wide.
Neither team was able to produce many more chances for the rest of the half until the 88th minute when freshman Dylan Huber’s head found the ball. Despite his best efforts, Pitt’s Lynd saved the ball from going into the net.
Regulation ended and the Hokies went into their third overtime match of the season. In the first overtime period, Lundgaard came up huge making a pair of saves to force the game into a second overtime period.
In the second extra period of play, both teams were able to produce some quality chances on goal. Pitt was first in the 103rd minute when the Panthers’ Raj Kahlon hit a shot that was saved by Lundgaard. Seconds later, sophomore Niels Kirch ripped a shot that was saved by Pitt’s Lynd. One minute after that, Kirch got another opportunity that was also thwarted by Lynd. The Hokies best chance of the entire match came in the 108th minute when freshman Ricardo John headed the ball towards goal from point blank range. The Panthers’ keeper caught the ball and his entire body was in the goal but the ball remained in play. That’s how the game would end.
Two players, Ranahan and senior goalkeeper Ben Lockler and two student trainers, Killian Mollner and Katie Simpson were honored prior to the match.
“Tonight was frustrating. We didn’t bring the effort necessary to pick up the win. We earned a point but I think we had an opportunity that was missed,” explained head coach Mike Brizendine. “We need to be better, especially playing at home. I don’t think we gave the appropriate effort considering the game that was at hand. It’s something we need to work on. I’ve said it before, when you have a team with a ton of freshman that contribute and play, this is something you deal with. It’s unfortunate, but it’s a part of the game.”
The Hokies will be back in action a week from tomorrow when the squad travels to Notre Dame for another ACC matchup.