No. 23 Hokies shutout ACC foe NC State

BLACKSBURG- The No. 23 Virginia Tech men’s soccer team (6-1-0) shutout NC State (1-5-0) 3-0 on Friday night at Thompson Field. Marcelo Acuna, Som Essome and Ryan Marcano each scored a goal for the Hokies as the defense got their fifth shutout of the season.

Tech put points on the board early with goals from Marcelo Acuna in the 11th minute and Som Essome in the 15th minute. Acuna scored his fifth goal of the season off assists from JP Saavedra and Essome. Saavedra sent the ball across the box finding Essome in front to tap it to Acuna. Senior Essome headed the ball in, off a header cross from Saavedra, to find the back of the net for his second goal of the season.

The second half started with the Hokies getting good looks in the box but failing to connect. Virginia Tech extended their lead in the 68th minute off an unassisted goal by Ryan Marcano. Ben Lundgaard and the Hokie defense earned their fifth shutout of the season as the second half was closed with substitutions on both ends.

The Hokies are on the road next as they travel to Delaware on Tuesday to face the Blue Hens at 7 p.m. in Newark.

Head Coach Mike Brizendine

-“I am very pleased with the result tonight. The guys did exactly what we asked of them. NC State did a great job of keeping the ball and it made us be patient in our defending and work extremely hard. I think we took opportunities when we saw them and scored three great goals.”

-“It was great to have three different players score tonight. It was great to get Ryan Marcano up on the score board and to have Som Essome and Marcelo Acuna continue to score for us.”

-“Getting three points in the ACC is no easy feat. To be able to get those points from a shutout is something I am very pleased with.”

-“As always, we will enjoy this tonight and come tomorrow we will start getting ready for Delaware.”

Notes

-Halftime shots: NCS 8-4

-Halftime saves: VT 1-0

-Final shots: NCS 14-11

-Now 3-0 when leading at halftime and at home

-First ACC win of 2016

-Lundgaard’s fifth shutout of the season (14th career)