Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG — Victory was within reach for Virginia Tech on Friday night until a 42-minute weather delay stifled momentum and a late equalizer by North Carolina limited the Hokies to a draw in their ACC opener.
An even match was cracked open in the 76th minute when Declan Quill delivered a superb ball from the right wing across the box to Oliver Roche at the back post. For the second time in Tech's three-game home stand, the Danish freshman guided the ball into the back of the net.
The raucous crowd of over 2,400 fans was quickly quieted, as the game entered a 42-minute weather delay just four minutes after Roche's opening goal.
When play restarted, the visiting Tar Heels came out generating chance after chance - dominating possession - and eventually found an equalizer in the 82nd minute, as Quenzi Huerman hit a rocket of a shot from outside the box past the outstretched arms of Timi Adams. Neither team was able to find the breakthrough winner in the final eight minutes - leaving the points shared in both team's ACC opener.
It was an evenly contested matchup throughout the night with Carolina holding slight advantages on shots (9-8) and attempts on goal (3-2). The tide had shifted in Tech's direction through the first 35 minutes of the second half, however, and Roche's strike seemed to be a well-deserved break through.
In his second career start, Adams was sturdy in net with two saves.
The result marks Virginia Tech's third-consecutive tie, which is the first time the Hokies have shared the points in three straight matches since the 2005 season.
Tech returns to ACC action on Friday, Sept. 15 at No. 7 Louisville on the ACC Network.