Tech battles, but falls to No. 3 North Carolina

BLACKSBURG – No. 3 North Carolina and Virginia Tech battled back-and-forth for 90 minutes at Thompson Field in ACC Women's Soccer action on Saturday night, but a late second-half goal, the second of the contest for the Tar Heels ensured their 2-0 victory over the Hokies.
 
North Carolina (12-2-1, 7-0-0 ACC) got on the board just over 21 minutes into the contest. Off a restart, UNC's Alessia Russo finished off a through ball for her fifth goal of the season.
 
Early in the second half, Tech (7-5-3, 3-4-0 ACC) had a couple of chances to get the equalizer, as Jordan Hemmen and Emily Gray each had a shot on net, but both were saved by Tar Heel goalkeeper Samantha Leshnak. Emmalee McCarter and Emma Steigerwald each also had opportunities, but Leshnak just beat McCarter to a ball off a free kick and Steigerwald's shot from right in front of goal was blocked away.
 
Tech goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn came up with a pair of huge saves shortly after, a minute apart in the 75th and 76th minutes. She saved a breakaway chance by Zoe Redei and off a corner kick made a stop off a header.
 
However, in the 81st minute, UNC added an insurance goal, from Dorian Bailey to all but seal the win for the Tar Heels.
 
FROM COACH ADAIR

Here's @CoachChugger postmatch. pic.twitter.com/p8UGrbuvuV

— Virginia Tech Women's Soccer (@HokiesWSoccer) October 14, 2018

(10/13/2018) 2018 WOMEN'S SOCCER vs. NORTH CAROLINA

OF NOTE

• This was the 17th all-time meeting between the two programs. UNC now leads 15-2-0.
• For the first time this season, the Hokies have lost three straight matches and are also beaten at home. They are now 5-1-2 at Thompson Field in 2018.
• Jaylyn Thompson started her 43rd straight match for Tech, the longest consecutive streak on the team, while McGlynn has the second longest at 34.
• Two Hokies have played all 1,410 minutes of the season: McGlynn and Kelsey Irwin.
• Five Hokies have started all 15 matches this year: the two above, Emily Gray, Jordan Hemmen and Thompson.

 
UP NEXT
Tech will conclude its regular-season home slate with a pair of matches this upcoming week. Notre Dame comes to town on Thursday, with a 7 p.m. start followed by a Clemson contest on Sunday with a 1 p.m. kickoff, which will also be Senior Day for six Hokies.