Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Looking to make a push for the postseason, the Virginia Tech women's soccer team will begin its final regular season week at Thompson Field on Thursday, Oct. 21, when Tech entertains Miami during ACC action at 7 p.m. Thursday's match between the Hokies and the Hurricanes will air live on ACC Network Extra.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
• Ryland Strong: In tandem with October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, the Virginia Tech women's soccer team will be reflecting Thursday on all who have been affected by pediatric brain cancers while celebrating the memory of Ryland Harris, family to Tech sophomore defender Victoria Haugen. On Sept. 15, Ryland tragically passed away at the young age of 17, less than two years after being diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma. Enduring through brain surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy, the multi-sport athlete maintained immeasurable positivity, inspiring all who supported and cared for him during his courageous battle. In his name, the Ryland Strong Foundation was created to raise awareness and funding to support research for pediatric cancers, as less than four percent of the federal allocation for cancer research is dedicated to pediatric cancer. Together, the Ryland Strong Foundation is committed to furthering research to carry on Ryland's fight – to love, to laugh and to play hard. Prior to Thursday's kickoff, the Virginia Tech women's soccer team will wear orange shirts that recognize Ryland and all who have fought courageously to overcome their pediatric cancers.
• Postseason Push: With three regular season matches remaining on its schedule, Virginia Tech is eager to make a run at qualifying for the 2021 ACC tournament. Entering the final two weeks of play, the Hokies are four points off the pace of the six-team conference tourney field with a favorable schedule ahead of them, opposing three teams who are currently ranked below Tech in the ACC table. The Hokies are coming off a hard-fought outing against top-ranked Florida State (Oct. 15), during which Tech held the Seminoles to season shooting lows in both total attempts (nine) and attempts on target (two). Two matches removed from Tori Powell's hat trick at Wake Forest (Oct. 10), the Hokies are committed to flexing their diverse attacking cast that features nine goal scorers and 16 point-earners. Emily Gray heads into Thursday's match ranked second among ACC players in total points (23), leading Tech with her nine goals, plus her five assists. History lies on Tech's side as the Hokies are 9-0-1 during the last 10 series meetings that have been contested at Thompson Field.
• Resourceful Rookies: Tech's rookie class has continued to impress during its first season in Blacksburg. At center back, Allie Lewis remains a key piece to the Hokies' defense, recently receiving the No. 28 ranking among collegiate freshmen courtesy of TopDrawerSoccer.com. On the midfield wings, Emma Pelkowski paces the squad with six assists while attacker Sophie Maltese has netted two goals behind Tech's big three of Emily Gray (nine goals), Nicole Kozlova (seven) and Tori Powell (seven). Allie George, Avery Tharrington and Aino Vuorinen have also been valued additions to the Hokies this season, logging quality minutes.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech will play its final regular season home match on Sunday, Oct. 24, against Boston College. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.
ON-CAMPUS PARKING UPDATE
Virginia Tech Parking Services has implemented a change to its on-campus parking policy to more effectively manage parking for the growing population of permit holders who engage in university activities after traditional business hours. Beginning August 2021, on-campus parking lots will be metered until 10 p.m. on weekdays, Monday through Friday. Visitors to Virginia Tech's Blacksburg campus will now need to pay to park on campus using one of three options:
- ParkMobile App (available here)
- Go online to purchase a daily parking permit
- Visit the Parking Services office at 505 Beamer Way between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. to purchase a daily permit
To learn more about campus parking, please click here. If anyone has questions, please email parking@vt.edu or call (540) 231-3200.