Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech women's soccer has forever had a longstanding track record of history and tradition tied to not only the program, but to everyone involved.
Originating in 1993, Tech has quickly garnered a sustained level of success, with one of the highlights of this proud program coming this afternoon in a 2-0 win over Syracuse. By taking down the Orange on Sunday afternoon in Blacksburg, the Hokies were able to achieve win No. 300 as a program. Something both significant and noteworthy for all who have ever suited up in a maroon and orange kit.
Three hundred is a handful, but there are really eight games that stand out above them all that highlight Tech's rise on the pitch over the course of the past three decades. All monumental for their own reasons, but all equally significant.
First Win: Sept. 6, 1993 at Liberty (4-3)
It certainly didn't take long for Virginia Tech women's soccer to record its first-ever win in its inaugural season in 1993.
In the Hokies' season opener on a September evening in Lynchburg, Tech took down in-state foe Liberty in a high-scoring 4-3 affair.
True freshman Brooke Fuller recorded the program's first-ever goal to lead the way in the Hokies' one-score victory, notching two on the day to preserve the win in Tech's first time ever suiting up on the women's side of the pitch.
The maroon and orange would end up starting that season 4-0 in the program's rookie year, potentially foreshadowing what was to come in undoubtedly a captivating start.
Win No. 100: Sept. 16, 2005 vs. Colorado College (1-0)
Fresh off the program's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament a year prior in 2004, Tech showed no signs of slowing down early on in the 2005 campaign.
Quick to continue the momentum in the beginning stages of the season, the Hokies didn't wait around to go ahead and secure program win No. 100, edging out Colorado College to do so on a mid-September Friday night at what would become Thompson Field.
Sophomore forward Ashley Stinson put in Tech's lone goal of the day, heading in a cross from the middle of the box in the 72nd minute to give the Hokies the advantage. That would be all they needed.
The maroon and orange allowed just one shot on goal by the Tigers all day long, willing Virginia Tech to a 1-0 victory to attain a total of triple-digits when taking a glance at the win column.
First NCAA Tournament Win: Nov. 13, 2009 vs. Murray State (2-0)
It's no secret that wins in the NCAA Tournament are both highly-coveted and hard to come by. That's why when a program finally hits that mark, it becomes one of the biggest building blocks in what was already a steady foundation.
Coming off a 13-8 regular season that catapulted them into their third NCAA Tournament appearance, the Hokies were sure to take advantage of this envied opportunity this time around after being a one-and-done in their past two appearances.
Taking down Murray State at Dayton's Baujan Field in the first round of the annual event, Tech quickly dispatched the Racers, 2-0, to advance to the Round of 32 for the first time in program history.
Juniors Marika Gray and Jennifer Harvey each netted the first goals of their postseason careers, while sophomore goalkeeper Kristin Carden earned just her second shutout of the year when it mattered most to keep the Ohio Valley Champions off the scoreboard for the duration of the contest.
The Hokies would end up advancing all the way to the Sweet Sixteen, kick-starting the height of Tech women's soccer and all the success that would eventually follow.
Chugger Adair's First Victory at Virginia Tech: Aug. 19, 2011 vs. UNC Greensboro (4-0)
Under the direction of first-year head coach Chugger Adair, the Hokies would soon rise to power all the way up towards not only the top of the ACC, but on the national scene, too.
It had to start somewhere. And in this case, it was a 4-0 blanking of UNC Greensboro in the 2011 season opener at UNCG Soccer Stadium.
Tech got off to a hot start. Junior midfielder Kelly Conheeney drilled a penalty kick in the 43rd minute to jot down the first goal of the Adair era, and would add one more later down the line to lead the way for the Hokies in a four-score drubbing of the Spartans in Greensboro.
Both Anne Lumpkin and Kelsey Loupee also found the back of the net in the cruising victory, making a statement early on in what would become another Sweet Sixteen season for the maroon and orange.
Hokies Head To The College Cup: Nov. 29, 2013 vs. Duke (3-0)
In what could still be considered the biggest win in Tech women's soccer history, the No. 4 Hokies were tasked with putting together one more victory to advance to their first College Cup in the program's history. And in doing so, they left no doubt.
Tech emphatically took down upset-minded Duke in the Elite Eight in late November at Thompson Field, prompting the maroon and orange to advance to the mecca of collegiate women's soccer in Cary, North Carolina to compete for a national championship.
The Hokies never trailed in this one. A Katie Yensen goal with just eight seconds remaining in the first half gave Tech the early 1-0 advantage, and Tech was able to tack on from there. Shannon Mayrose's 64th-minute strike and Jazmine Reeves' 81st-minute score sealed the deal for the Hokies, sending Adair's team to Cary and erasing the Blue Devils from the tournament equation, 3-0, in Blacksburg.
Win No. 200 - Aug. 24, 2014: Davidson (4-0)
The time it took for Tech women's soccer to get from win No. 100 to win No. 200 is drastically different from the previous century mark.
Capitalizing on more program success, it took just two games in 2014 for the Hokies to reach that next historic win total, taking down Davidson in the Charlotte suburbs in a resounding 4-0 victory.
Three first-half goals for Tech gave the maroon and orange a 3-0 halftime advantage that was going to be hard to relinquish. And in the second period of play, there was no threat for that to take place with Bria Dixon striking the net to finish off the Wildcats in a 4-0 demolition at Alumni Stadium.
The win gave the Hokies a clear glimpse at their identity for the 2014 campaign, a year in which they would qualify for yet another Sweet Sixteen. A regular, yet impressive occurrence for Adair's program at this point in time.
Win Over No. 6 Virginia: Sept. 27, 2018 (1-0)
Underneath the lights at a dreary Thompson Field in late September back in 2018, Virginia Tech had quite the opportunity on their hands with No. 6 Virginia coming to town.
Seeking its first victory over the rival Cavaliers since 2013, Tech got out to an early start.
A Jordan Hemmen net-finder headed in off an Emily Gray assist turned out to be the difference maker in the Hokies' slim 1-0 win. And with the help of Mandy McGlynn and her six saves on the day, VT was able to hold the 'Hoos scoreless for just the second time that season en route to one of the bigger regular season victories in program history.
What a surprise, another Sweet Sixteen appearance was on-tap later that season. A truly spectacular feat for Adair and company that has a direct reflection on Tech's growth on the pitch.
Win Over No. 3 North Carolina: Oct. 1, 2022 (2-1)
What better way to lead into program win No. 300 than to touch on victory No. 299? And it was certainly a noteworthy one, too.
Having not gotten the best of the always-potent North Carolina in the last 13 tries, Tech desperately needed a victory over the Tar Heels to prove that the program remains one of the best that the ACC has to offer. Turns out, mission accomplished.
Having endured the program's best start in recent memory, the Hokies welcomed in the third-ranked Tar Heels having not taken them down since 2011. And after trailing for the majority of the contest, it looked like Saturday evening would go no different.
A Taylor Bryan 72nd-minute equalizer would prove otherwise. And with just under six minutes remaining in the contest, Tori Powell broke away from the Carolina defense, finding the back of the net in the 84th minute to put Tech in front for good and steer the hosts to a 2-1 upset over UNC.
The win at Thompson Field marks one of the biggest ever in Tech history. With the Hokies now sitting at 10-5-2 (4-4-1 ACC), don't be surprised if Virginia Tech women's soccer does big things the rest of the way in 2022.