UNC Asheville vs. Virginia Tech Full Match Replay | 2024 ACC Men's Soccer

good crowd on hand the students are back in town the Freshman coming out in full support their first couple of days of classes and we're underway on a spectacular Tuesday [Music] evening hes will get the first possession little bit of movement in the middle and now UNC Asheville trying to push we see berson as the single Striker up top there for UNC big and strong playing it through to him there Asheville trying to push once again and create something offensively and the hokes are there to boot it away it's no way uim Manana with an early touch m brisen d for Virginia Tech in his 16th season at the Helm of the hokes 6 NCAA tournament appearances for bris as they call them around these parts trying to get the hokes back to the NCAA tournament they feel as though they have a team that could play up to that level and I've talked to a couple of coaches from around the country that also agree that the Virginia Tech perhaps might be a sleeper team and one to keep an eye on well first touch in net for cooper cooper wisel for Virginia Tech there was a goalie battle atam coming into this season and it was well documented about four guys in the race and and welzel ended up winning the job yeah I think uh again talking to a lot of coaches almost every one of them says yeah we had a big big time goalkeeper battle across the country it always is that but you get that little bit of separation and that's one of those tricky positions where you they say the battle is always going on in training and it can be formed so uh but a good start in the opener there for wsel timely saves uh uh last week and they're going to look for him to keep that up here this evening as well well on the other side for UNC Asheville Mick G orano the head coach of the Bulldogs took him to the Big South championship game a year ago how about far there coming out to play that with his chest that's a lot of confidence talked to him talked about him being the goalkeeper of the year in the Big South a lot of confidence to come out there and play that ball with your chest no doubt about it no way uim Manana dances it up the touch line for Virginia Tech and now they try and generate some offense one of the big goals of UNC Asheville today was getting off to a hot start pushing early and one thing that Mike bris and Dyan thought could be a little bit Troublesome for Virginia Tech was how well UNCC Asheville presses and you're seeing that here yeah UNC Asheville Not Afraid an experienced veteran ball Club coach brid said that this is a team not trying to figure things out they know who they are here's uim Mana tried to cross it in front still has The Possession Hensley gives it back up to the top Virginia Tech Will rework it Stephenson out to the near side with yannes imman gets Tangled Up and hits the deck hard goes against Hammond of UNC Asheville and we got a little bit of contact early here Adam that's one of the spaces on the field here where you do not want to give a foul and give Virginia Tech an opportunity here on a set piece it's a little bit from distance here so it's not a terrific opportunity but restarts on this side of the field can be dangerous do not want to foul in that space saw no way uim Mana Notch one to the back of the net on a set piece in the later portion of the season opener for the fourth goal against North Florida Carter Hensley will take it for Tech lofs it in Stephenson tried to give it a go but there to gobble it up the reigning goalkeeper of the year in the Big South in Charlie Farah being tested early on in the right space at the right time so much of being a goalkeeper is your positioning and understanding where the ball is he got on that near post and was able to gobble that one up what' you see Adam I was saying I did you see what I did there with the gobble it up there I did there you go I did the hokeys Heath flatal from the near side to throw it in for the Bulldogs and a quick touch right back to him wierson tekagi tried to cross it and now no way uima boots it up the field for Tech yeah taji actually drew the penalty last week against dson he's a crafty player got in the Box drew the foul and earned a penalty kick for UNC Ash last week well they're giving away cowbells tonight that's a that's a dangerous idea I think that they said hey freshman first week on campus come on out we're giving away Virginia Tech cowbells and that might make a little bit of noise tonight in favor of the home team that and you know what you're seen it across the country college soccer really exploding uh really fans and students are embracing it it's one of the highest attended Sports on campuses outside of football and men's and women's basketball so uh you you have a lot of kids that are excited about the sport and obviously Virginia Tech in a premier conference with a premier program that's going to pack the stand well best chance Virginia techs had early on tonight right there OU Mana keeps it in on the near side gives it off to Hensley stensson now off to the far side with Garder O's working it up the touch line booted out of play by Stephenson Virginia Tech with some possession there and trying to move the ball side to side not able to really get going forward good job there by UNCC Asheville to step into that one of the things that I saw the other night from Virginia Tech was really good lateral movement with the ball switching from the left to the right or the right to the left to create some Open Spaces we'll keep an eye on that here tonight there's a nice play up the field for UNCC Asheville Hammond trying to track it down can't keep it in [Music] play well we were talking about Mick Giordano and we got eyes on him down on the field this is a team in a program that is really on the rise in the Big South Adam they lost in the championship game last season trying to get back there his Fifth Season at the helm and in a lot of ways feels like it could be a very very dangerous Club in that that group of Fes not a soccer ter but but those conferences yeah that's fair and 10 wins last year that's the most in the division one era so you think with a lot of those pieces coming back that UNCC Asheville has its eyes on that NCAA tournament perhaps a one bid League although if you can get a result here maybe you boost your profile a little bit but you know you're obviously going to have to try and really focus on winning that big South tournament and getting that automatic bid that's the only way for anybody that you know that you're safe come selection even crazier they lost that championship game in PKS I mean you took it right down to the wire right there you're right there yeah it's such a fragile result right especially when you go to go to penalties but uh you know and technically it goes in as a draw which uh I think even hurts a little bit more because uh it goes in as a draw but when you don't Advance it it certainly very very much feels like a loss A hokei is down and they still try and charge into their offensive third we play on and he's still not getting up Virginia Tech trying to create some offense now Hensley wants a [Applause] call lot going on down there Adam it looks like there is a uh pleading for the handball I'm surprised perhaps that wasn't going to be reviewed Andy Sullins is limping on the field for Virginia Tech almost as if a decoy in the middle yeah I'm not sure he's he's in an offside position he can't get off I'm wondering if gch is going to try and play this one now they're going to be a stoppage of play now here's uh an interesting part of this in terms of substitutions right because if he comes out you only get six moments to sub this year so if he's got to come out coach brisentine is going to have burned one of those moments Andy Sullins started his career at the University of Virginia in 2022 second year in the program here in blackburg there's a look at the collision and oh they got a case for that handball I'll tell you what yeah so as play went on and you see the the protest there looking for that handball but you have to feel for for Solin who's trying to get up and try to get out of the way and let play continue and almost get a a handball call substitution for UNC Asheville figuroa checks in what are your thoughts on the new substitute rules that is a Hot Hot Topic I like it I I think in the ear going yeah that's true in the early going I am not sure that I am a big fan of it I think there is some sort of movement to try and make the college game more like the pro game and at this point I just don't think it's there yet no way uim Mana taking it himself dancing around a Defender crosses it in front and it's booted up and over the net a good chance there Oliver roach got his left foot on it couldn't good ball forward there to uim Manana and an even better one to cut it back to Roach just not able to put that one on frame that's one you want to get on frame make Fair make a play on you and Andy Sullins is down once again yeah he's I think he tried to give it a go so when we talk about the substitutions now if you don't want to take him off the field maybe he needs a moment to shake it off he can come off and not substitute him so you would you could play a man down and he can come back in it wouldn't count as as a substitute so we'll be curious to see how this gets handled or if you you know for lack of a better term burn burn one of your moments sure in substitu in the spot this early in the ball game how how detrimental could that be score is still nil nil I mean we just got going and if you're playing a man down it's just not exactly IDE yeah you and I don't you don't you're not going to be forced to play a man down unless you think he can come back here shortly um you you're trying to feel this out how serious is this um you know there is an opportunity for Solin to come back in the second half so you can make one of those subs the the you don't you're not entirely worried about losing him for the match in case it's a serious injury but you really are trying to measure and weigh is this one of the the six moments that I want to utilize here but you know if he's if he he tried to give it a go and he got back down on the turf uh I think it'd be a tough ask for him Andy Sullins coming off responsible for a goal and an assist in the 2023 season for Virginia Tech big time goal against UCLA in the Bruins and he's still limping off on the far side we'll see exactly what Virginia Tech's approach to this is regardless the Bulldogs will have the possession and they will be making a substitution it looks like so inserting into the ball game is Malik Chow for the first time tonight chowa Jr from France played a little bit in the season opener against North Florida especially in that second half Andy Sullins is out Chow checks in that answers our question and the Hoke say we can't afford to play a man down this early on and they use up one of those substitution [Music] opportunities so Charlie farer has it and gives it right off UNC Asheville looks to clear it away funny how the ball finds you as it gets right towards Chow as soon as he inserts himself into the ball game well trying to press you want to use those fresh legs you know the other thing to think about is how hot it is is here tonight and you know you normally when you think about college soccer you're thinking about using those subs as kind of a change of pace but now tonight you got to think about substitutions in terms of giving your players some rest and managing those in this hot weather no way uim mana on the de touch line for Virginia Tech Bobs it up UNC Asheville staying pesky here's Chow a burst of speed gets around a Defender Tech with an opportunity Chia puts it right into farer Big South goalkeeper of the Year from a season ago and he's tested early he's been up to the Tas yeah proving it right earning that scholarship far with a great way to get his foot on this preventing the cross as the hes were bearing down in the front of the net but good work there from Chow to Break Free on that flank and create some options so if you're a Virginia Tech you have to be pleased with that run of play and some other run of play here so far but you're going to have to be really crisp as we've seen you're going to have to be really crisp and clinical in front of it to try and get past Fair Adam let's see if UNC Ashville can generate a little bit of offense here and as we say it they cough it up once again here's Virginia Tech Oki with some space OU Manana taking his time on the near side I man getting a lot of touches here particularly on the offensive end you like to see that if you're coach brisen dying the fun thing about no way uana is he can strike at any instant I mean you have to be on your heels when 21 and orange has the ball here's Hensley oh great ball out there beautiful through ball cross in front chance for Tech it goes wide right Hensley tried to neet the first really good play there by the captain you see the armband there gets the ball in the middle of the field sprays it out wide creating an opportunity got it back just not able to get enough on it on the shot we talked about how good you're going to have to be in front of the net to try and get one pass fair and that one just wasn't quite good enough Carter Hensley the only player to start all 17 games a season ago for Virginia Tech play the second most minutes on the team as earned in that captainship yeah he's was like a Swiss army knife throughout his career playing in a lot of different spots and now that he's in in one of his more preferred spots he's been a he's a better all-around player nowc Asheville just trying to possess offensively here and Virginia Tech has dominated early time of possession tonight here's a gorgeous through ball up the field and off sides just not able to quite time that run but I like the idea over the [Applause] top trying to break the lines there's been some space there he's got to time that run a little bit better yeah the kick was on the money yeah that's that's good delivery from the back to the front and you mentioned a little bit ago UNCC Asheville not really able to generate a ton of possession but they've got something going now trying to strike negated quickly by Virginia Tech Adam who do you think has been the aggressor in the middle of the field oh right now right now it's Virginia Tech we've seen Hensley with a couple of touches and really when the possession is in your favor you're doing a lot of things right and I think Virginia Tech has been on the front foot of this match here in the early going we're talking about a UNC Asheville squad though that is very mature they're not going to get wrapped so they're going to try and settle into this one but right now they are chasing a little bit Virginia Tech taking it away in the middle early and we got a foul Pooky possession heading the other [Music] way great job there byas to draw that foul get a restart using his body to shield and draw that foul they reverse it off to Hensley with a little bit of space again keeping an eye on watching Virginia Tech trying to move the ball left to right just like that ball in switch a play and out of Play It Goes Bulldog possession well you wouldn't see Asheville a team that has some serious momentum heading into the season we talked about how they lost in the Big South Champion ship game but you bring almost everybody back and that that's so so useful when you have that much leadership you have that much experience and some true veterans in that program not only is it useful it's rare now right and in college sports college soccer not excluded to bring back such a core so obviously there's the continuity players know each other they know how to play to each other but there's also that shared motivation and disappointment from not getting it done and so you have some players coming back and leading the way in the winter in the spring to say hey we want to try and get this done and accomplish some of those goals that maybe left got left undone last year five Bulldogs are pre-season All Conference in the big south of course it starts with goalkeeper of the Year Charlie [Applause] [Music] farer another good chance for Virginia Tech UNC Asheville looks to clear it's Chia inserted into this ball game and he's made an impact early instant Energy Great look there from behind the goal just not able to quite get those hips around and put it on frame but Chow immediate impact here in this match it's so beneficial when your subs can come in and you don't lose anything and perhaps you gain something maybe a little bit different give a little different look that is one of the more unique things about college soccer scrum in the middle slide tackle whistles and a card getting this one under control here early that did look like that had some intent to it h get a card early in this one going take another look at it you know even from our Vantage Point up here see after the ball gets lost just comes in right through the player girl lion just a little too aggressive and far is there to expunge that [Music] chance Charlie far has been busy early not just trying to save shots necessarily but trying to find a way to clear it out and give the offense a chance on the other side and he's been as good as advertised give credit to the Big South coaches for voting him as the goalkeeper of the of the year last year and the preseason uh goalkeeper of the year he has been really really good trying to settle things down though it almost makes the job easy right if you're a voter and you have a returning goalkeeper of the year like he's got to be the favor yeah that I mean it is it is you're right it's a it's a pretty easy vote there um but he's certainly worthy of it I always enjoy the preseason polls though that look a lot like last year's standings isn't that always the case right so that's that's fair second in the conference in both goals allowed and save percentage a season AG go but it's more than just that right it's been talked about how how much of a leadership presence he had how in times of chaos they can lean on him yeah and that's one of the things that I think is is interesting and and why the coaches vote right because it's not just if you just went by stats why would you vote right so you're watching tape you're breaking things down it's the things that that don't show up necessarily from a goalkeeper his distribution there's really not a ton of stats that that are shown on on the stats obviously the the next gen stats that all the coaches have access to can talk about completion rate here's a through ball crossed in front deflected away might have been the best setup Virginia Tech's had to this point yeah and that second ball there Virginia Tech would want to get on the end of that one keep that one in that final third inside that 18 yd box sustain pressure possession in that area of the field but again another good ball over top springing forward getting in behind that backline and causing UNCC Asheville to run towards goal first time we've seen Sammy Colby get a good chance he netted two of the four and the season opener for Virginia Tech a 4-nil win over North Florida nobody's home on the through ball and Asheville up the touchline it's just launched out of play yeah looking at a little bit of body language there Seth Hammond a little bit frustrated that he couldn't get to that when it goes out of bounds UNC as we talked about what an experienced team how many guys they have back got to maintain the composure here still about halfway through this first half things not quite going the way that the Bulldogs would like but yet still the score is tied at zero chipped over the top there fa's able to collect it right at the edge of the box and it looks like Virginia Tech is going to try and Pop Some Over the Top here it's worked it's been effective on a couple of occasions Adam Virginia Tech on the other side they went to six NCAA tournament appearances from 2016 to 2021 but since then 723 and 5 and 213 and one in ACC play they were 0 and8 in conference play in 2022 back-to-back missed NCAA tournaments but they've reloaded especially out of the transfer portal they've bolstered this roster and they're trying to get back to the big dance yeah if you look at the trend though one thing that Virginia Tech had during those uh six seasons of NCAA tournament vers was goal scores you had Akuna with back-to-back years he had 11 and 12 goals then you had strickler with back-to-back years of 10 and 11 and then you had labovich with back toback years of 9 and N those were NCAA tournament years and then since then you just really haven't had that offensive Firepower needed to navigate the college landscape and of course the ACC which is just absolutely jammed well welcome to the new era of Collegiate Athletics right because of Tech's 21 goals last season 11 of them came from individuals who are no longer on the team 51% of participation from last season no longer on the roster I mean it's a completely new look and what they added in the portal was exactly what you're talking about is that goal scoring production yeah we saw it on display in the opener kobby with a brace also adding an assist transfer from Charlotte you can just go right down the line there Capa transfer and and you know we're kind of past the days where that is kind of abnormal that is almost almost normal to just have a handful of transfers on both sides too you can split it down the middle 14 newcomers for Mike brisen Dy 14 returners in Tech with a Chance quickly it's booted out of play by UNCC Asheville of the newcomers eight transfers six true freshman three of the four goals against North Florida were scored by transfer newcomers there's no way uima one of the returners here's a nice through ball put on cage just wide left faroh was on top of it as well NE Fair had that one covered it was a good strike in the middle of the pitch by roach looks like it's gon to be a corner here well it took a while but we got our first corner of the evening yeah good strike there by roach good buildup too I think the more touches that uim Mana has the better for Virginia Tech and it not directly necessarily involved in that but his side of the field impressive here so far the captain from the corner boots it up a line drive and negated immediately nice ball up the touch line nobody home it's going to get out of play yeah Hensley's going to want better on the next opportunity though not giving any of his players a chance on that delivery as you see there ASA Hamid making his entrance into the game he got things started for UNC Asheville last week scored on a be of a free kick opened his season [Music] tally he is a preseason all big South player as well for goals four assists last year so he will add Off the Bench trying to add some offensive impact here for the Bulldogs here's Chia puts it in the middle fers able to fall on top of it so five Bulldogs preseason All Conference we talked about Far We've now talked about Hamid Brendan herb also preseason All Conference Conor behan miles Edmonson rounds it out for UNC Asheville in the Big South Bean not available tonight dealing with an injury uh but the rest of them quite honestly Giovani UNC Ash is going to want you to call their names a little bit more to try and get into this one yeah right I mean we haven't mentioned them and that's because they haven't had any offensive opportunities yet are you surprised by that a little bit Yeah I am uh I I really thought that UNC Asheville would come in and have a little bit more of the ball uh Virginia Tech has come out playing with a lot of energy uh but you know you just a team like UNCC Ashville doesn't need a whole lot it just needs that door cracked open just a little bit as we see here perhaps trying to conjure something off of this deep throw in hurled in played in the middle and sent out they wanted a corner kick they're not going to get it yeah good deep throw there by Roger sanguinetti if you can have it a good strong throw there that adds almost another setpiece opportunity to Your Arsenal and Hamid coming in getting a touch trying to make something happen now Virginia Tech looking to clear Wiman deflects it out of Play unforced error there here on the touch line gives UNC Asheville a chance with just under 19 minutes left to play in this first half still nil nil but it feels like Virginia Tech's Ben the aggressor Asheville trying to change the narrative put on cage and there to ring the bell is Cooper wsel his first test of the night that could have been a tough one as the deflection there UNC Ash with their first two shots of the match here coming in just a short amount of time windel had four saves in the 4-n win over North Florida in the opener he won a goalie battle and he's between the pipes for Virginia Tech for the second evening in a row to start the 2024 campaign brisen Dy was so impressed with how he played in that opener he said he's calm cool Collective but stepped up huge because he had the first save of the game this incredible diving stop I mean really really a highlight type play and it came in the first couple of minutes I mean that could have flip the game on its head if North Florida goes up one n to start yeah the saying is that goals change games right so you're you're kind of cruising along there and uh you know you get ahead or or a team climbs back things can just go uh the whole moment momentum the whole way that the match feels can just change in an instant and again soccer is so wild that you can have possession for 90% of the match and then all of a sudden something goes the other way the team gets on the board you make a mistake you get punished for it and then the whole match just is absolutely flipped on its head Timmy Adams the starter for Virginia Tech in net a season AG go and like brisen Dy felt like after the battle came to a close time to make a change lindel has earned the opportunity Cooper wsel all big West honory in 2022 after posting a career best 74 on his save percentage in 19 games another transfer for Virginia Tech he's out of Cal State Northridge 37 starts to his credit so another experienced player out of the portal crossed in front and there's wedel once more yeah that looked like Brendan herb trying to give Chase in the middle of the field but nothing happening wsel does a nice job to cover that really so much of Defending and stopping things before they get started and wendzel does a nice job to Snuff that opportunity out came a long way Fresno California Native and Virginia Tech's got a nice mix you have some guys from overseas you have some guys from the West Coast you have some guys that call Virginia and North Carolina home I mean really they go everywhere and they're recruiting well California is now ACC country right so very true very true so it's a Coast to Coast Conference it's a it's a coast to coast game now with the with all of the realignment so the world the world kind of shrinks a little bit um in a lot of different ways the trans the transfer portal is is one of those you bolster an already incredible League one of the best in the country if not the best by adding oh just Stanford three national championships top 10 team in the country you had kale and smu's pretty darn good as well yeah terrific year last year for the Mustangs I know we'll talk more about that at halftime but the additions to the ACC is just an absolute Gauntlet and that's the that's going to be a tricky part for ACC teams when they get into conference play uh you know going 500 would be amazing it would definitely get you an an NCAA tournament bid when you go on the road and you're really maybe thinking about just taking a point at times because every point is so crucial and and you know there were lots of years where you had to get three you felt like you had to get three on the road but now you know if you can if you can get one you are really probably ahead of the game Adam it feels like gone or the days where you say okay I need I need three four years to rebuild this thing I mean you can rebuild almost overnight and Virginia tag seems to early on now it's not proven yet but they've overhauled this roster in the blink of an eye and they look completely different from a season ago and they've taken advantage of the portal and they're far from from the only ones across the country to do so yeah 3 to four years now how about 3 to 4 days 3 to four weeks that's about that's about what it takes uh to get things turned around couple of visits and you're done that's right and a lot of a lot of players are joining in the spring right you you go ahead and hit the portal early on maybe perhaps in the fall season Virginia Tech on a sustained attack oh we got perhaps we do have a penalty call absolutely huge with 14 minutes left to go in the first half and this crowd at Thompson field is rocking early on on the Tuesday night you think they're excited for some ACC soccer absolutely this is uh you know you feel the stands shake and the cowbells go and welcome to the ACC in Virginia Tech and Hackenberg drawing that foul in the Box take another look at it oo lost possession of that ball but the contact with the body hack ber is going to go ahead and take this one he drew it now he's going to try and finish it off Ethan Hackenberg big chance for Virginia tack the Pittsburgh native here's hackenburg and he Nets it one nil hes yeah well taken penalty there from Hackenberg to put this one away far's going to guess the opposite direction and just well placed from Hackenberg here and this crowd I think it's fair to say lit on a Tuesday night there you go a lot of excitement just well placed there had the keeper going the opposite direction and Virginia Tech for the second straight match is going to play with a lead here in the first half Hackenberg with his first goal of the season it comes in the 31st minute H Fair has been so good that's tough uh that's a tough one to take as a keeper you know it's a it's a crapshoot there so has to be a little bit disappointed that he's played so well and then had to had to face a penalty but uh you know still 13 minutes left here in this first half I don't think a whole lot changes for UNC Asheville they just got to get more of the ball just have to have more possession have to amp up that energy a little bit might have to take a few more chances winning the ball in the Midfield to try and establish more possession if you're Virginia tack you got to think the philosophy doesn't change either coach brisendine didn't feel comfortable when they were up three four nothing well listen no coach is ever comfortable if they are they're lying to you cuz they always want the next one here's Virginia Tech and sent out of play another really heads up defense iive play by slide tackle foul but he's been all over the place defensively and has really taken away a handful of chances from Virginia Tech in this first half and that was Brave at the edge of the box but well timed got the ball and got it away far boots it up the field headed Away by the hokes and Hensley just takes it away I mean pickpocketing in the middle what a through ball Tech with a Chance even up the field trying to dance his way through the traffic was the transfer in Capa he notched a goal in the season opener for Virginia Tech last week UNC Asheville was up 2-n then surrendered a goal so again we talk about the momentum perhaps changing what did they do one minute later scored another so the response was there but right now Virginia Tech scores the goal and it's continuing to be the aggressor UNC Asheville has to find a response there's Marcos Esco weaving his way through traffic tripped up Chow got in the mix and another call goes against the Bulldogs really dangerous spot here to foul Virginia Tech's going to have a look a free kick opportunity could look similar to the one that scored last week in a similar spot well I know who's going to have it it's going to be 21 in Orange if I had to guess and actually it's not going to be 21 in Orange He put the ball down and instead it's going to be Ethan Hackenberg but we did say oua C I should say OU Mana score from this exact spot last week hackenberg's got one on the penalty perhaps going to put this one on frame or may try to find one of these Runners at the back post Hackenberg setting it up clock winds just north of 11 minutes left to play in this first half here's hackenburg and farer deflects it away with the left hand outstanding sack really good stuff there from Fair there were a couple of different options because Stephenson was giving Chase there perhaps getting in the way you're going to see Stephenson come right in front there looks like he might be able to have a go at it but fa makes the save as that one was definitely on frame would have gone in had he not keeps it Asheville now with 10 and a half left to play trying to just find a way to get get some offense going late in the half because if you can find an equalizer before that break scratch this first half out the window it would be huge uh because right now UNC as has just been fighting uphill so you got to figure out a way even if you're not able to get one to just try and generate some more opportunities hamid's come in and provided a little bit of an offensive spark getting both of UNCC Asheville's shots off here in the first half so got to try and find a way to get from that back to front trying to build through the Midfield just hasn't gone it UNC Asheville's way here so far out of play and call goes against Virginia Tech Stephenson can't believe it he was hoping for a a deflection oh he gets a yellow it might be might be with the protest I think rather than rather than the uh than the tackle I think there's any in the tack Loki Stephenson little little bit of contact there right just a hair yep I think the Call's valid and I think think you're right the the yellow card on the uh on the protest perhaps with the protest got to keep your cool see if UNCC Asheville can take advantage lofted in sails wide right Becka with a goal last week trying to serve that one into rag narson but Virginia Tech physical able to be up to the task defensively about all you could ask here from the hokes through the first 35 minutes Tech's been the aggressor that's kind of been our story line in this first half but I think something we have yet to talk about is Tech just looks a little bigger right and and that helps when you have physical plays like that especially towards the net little bit bigger a little bit faster A Little Bit Stronger and it it's it's shown that's that's obviously tough to compete with right if you've got if you've got all of those but particularly those Center back spots here's Chow in the [Applause] middle take it away here comes Asheville up the near side but every time I mean every time they try and send it up the field into the offensive third Virginia Tech there the defensive back line just takes it right back and here we go again when you talk about coaches talk about playing with energy this is what you're talking about maybe it's not if if the players lined up who would win a foot race probably going to be pretty similar but on the night are you able to read where that Ball's going to go are you going to be a step faster you going to uh give that amount of effort to try and get there first and right now Virginia Tech is answering those questions with yes it going be a little bit faster here Stephenson now Hensley lobs it up W Manana trying to track it down it evades him slid out of Bounce B by the captain it's an innocent play there slide tackling that one by Carter Hensley but it it allows Virginia Tech to get organized get back prevent a Counterattack so knocking that ball out looks like an innocent play but a really smart play there by Hensley to prevent the counting the Bulldogs tried to reverse field lot of contact and we have another hokey down and another car this time it's miles Edmonson a couple of cards issued here in this first half you have to maintain your composure a couple of cards issued the other night in UNCC Asheville's match against Stetson see the players going for the ball there they in you know how much how much of this is the contact and then how much of it is the uh discussion we'll say afterwards leading to the card well to your point Adam there was a little bit of a scrum with STS in last week for the Bulldogs maybe a a little bit of something to keep your eyes out for as this team has a chip on their shoulder right that's that's kind of their emo this year lost in PKS is in the Big South Championship trying to prove themselves trying to to be that team that that punches in the Big South and when you play with that chip on your shoulder you you have to find a way to balance that with keeping your cool yeah you want to play with an edge and and but you have to keep it in check to make sure that you don't hurt your team another big bout Hensley is contending that that he won the ball and he's going to get a card so uh several cards here issued Oprah you get a card I get a card that's right that's right just trying to settle this match down uh as we see the tempers flaring a little bit and and and our uh our Center has just indicated he's not going to have any of it I think hence he's got a case in terms of winning that but the uh uh the contact afterward is going to lead to the free kick here for UNC asille and you see the consternation from Hensley well it's deep but it's inside the attacking third we'll see what they do here you have Herb in there and you have amid as well amid scored on a free kick from it was closer than this it was closer to 20 amid doesn't go herd does oh misses it wide left that was close maybe a little bit closer than wsel had anticipated yeah from our vantage point that ball was bending looking to be Upper 90 but I think wiel had it uh had it read pretty well never sweat and even if he had it wrong no big deal right as long as it doesn't go in you can always play it off yeah I had it read right all the way again he was outstanding in the opener four saves all of them were not easy all of them highlight re type saves out of 25 in the neon Oh What A through ball Here Comes Virginia T off sides they got past farer that's the second off sides against the hokes tonight yeah that one looked like he maybe a step and a half just got to hold that hold that [Applause] run now here's Asheville From The Far Side trying to create all of a sudden a chance and nothing to come of it take the corner kick and kind of live to fight another day there instead of trying to cross in front instead of trying to put it on net Tino Vasquez says hey let's let's send it off to the corner Becket looks like he's over there to take this one big moment here for the Bulldogs can they perhaps conjure a little bit of something here late in this first half little bit further out for UNC Asheville here up at the top of the box three Defenders on the backline for Tech trying to clog it up in the middle here's Beckett Line Drive kick headed away Stephenson there got his head on it and over the crossbar for another corner but you talked about the height of that backline from Virginia Tech really tough to break down UNCC Asheville just not able to match up from a size standpoint that doesn't mean they can't win the ball in the air but it's going to be a challenge as you have uh some tall center backs there for the hookes def it's Brendan herb from the near corner now serves it in on the ground shot in front deflected away never got off the ground yeah perhaps thinking that uh play it there might be the best course of action rather than trying to serve one in the air into the box where Virginia Tech might be able to get ahead on it imman and farer both go flying the field and now uim Mana will overhead it in four minutes remaining in this first half 1- nil Virginia Tech it was Hackenberg with his first goal of the season on a penalty kick here he is and saying welcome to the Ball Game photographers along the backline far now with a goal kick 330 and Counting left to play in this first half we've had four yellow cards in this first half between UNC Asheville and Virginia Tech you know we we say it all the time as broadcasters that that hopefully the or the intent by the official might be to settle things down we'll see how that plays out we'll see if the cards continue to get issued or if things maybe do get cleaned up and and it's a little bit uh a cleaner in the second half and we'll see if the referee's intent if that's what it was if it if it ends up working wsel reverses it off to uana trying to find Esco UNC Asheville's there to take it back Greg narson boots it up the field Asheville trying to go with just over two and a half left to play sanguinetti lobs it in two on one in the middle and a size mismatch on top of it Garder hits the deck and a little tangled up there with Hamid we Plum it to two minutes left to play now it feels like both teams almost in a way trying to get this thing to the locker room but but wouldn't be shocked to see someone try and push the tempo here in the final final 120 seconds UNC Ash would love to try and steal something here they're going to maybe throw some things forward if it gets an opportunity but uh otherwise I do think Virginia Tech looks pretty content to take its time here try to make if they wa make one last run make sure it is the last run of this don't get caught on anything silly if you're trying to press forward yeah didn't want to give it away Give It Away there booted up the field by Stephenson wimana is down momentarily he's back up now and just 60 seconds left to play in this first half well we got a treat coming up before we send you to a halftime break Mick G ordono the head coach of UNC [Music] Asheville and here's wsel with a goal kick for the hokes EXC here's a chance it's one on Three offense trying to flood back into the attacking third and Hamid dancing but up to the task is Stephenson he's going to have to hurry here to try and get a corner off 7 Seconds hurry up here's herb from the near Corner surveys it in put on cage momentarily hit the post on the far side and the hokes a little bit bit of a scare at the end they'll take the 1-n lead into the locker room well in the final second the first half that was the best chance all day for the Bulldogs yeah absolutely wild there Virginia Tech looked like it was Ash didn't take much to generate almost a goal there at the end of the first half maybe a little bit of an eye opener for the hokes as they'll start with the possession in half number two we are underway it is a gorgeous Tuesday night in blackburg this place is absolutely packed Adam all the students back in town blackburg is buzzing and Thompson field has produced just a sensational crowd for this college soccer match yeah I was just telling you that uh when this crowd gets Stomp and you can feel the booth Shake uh a lot of excitement around this program I think that there's a lot of faith in coach coach brri and getting the hes back into the NCAA tournament a lot of excitement around a lot of college programs in the country and trying to get back to the NCA tournament try to compete for a national championship Asheville trying to compete right here maybe a chance off the bat and here they go cross in front and deflected away and immediately canceling that one Willie Cardona one of his first big touches gets Tech going defensively in the second half and Asheville will throw it in From The Far Side so what we saw there was good job by UNC Asheville getting to the second ball and we heard coach gardano going into halftime saying that they had to be better in that area saw a good example of it here in the early going really cool to be able to talk to both coach GI orano and of course on the other side the head man of the hones coach BRZ in his 16th season just kind of picking their brain a little bit throughout the action always a treat it is interesting to kind of compare notes right from what we're seeing to what the coaches are seeing and I think we talked about it a little bit in the first half of being of UNC Asheville just not being quick quick to the to the ball and it wasn't because I you know just don't have fast players it just sometimes the energy gets taken out of you we heard coach jono talk about this environment here at Thompson field and so you know 45 minutes to try and settle into this and acclimate and then you know you got to know that you got to be fast to the ball and we saw it in that little highlight package too Chow quick to the ball winning that ball and going forward happens in an instant you know this is no knock on the big South by any stretch of the imagination but this is a little different right playing in front of a jam-packed house like this yeah it's it feels like an NCA tournament environment it's hot out here so that that also you know it's also hot Nashville I get that but it's it's hot here so that has a little bit effect on your energy but yeah you don't have these crowds night in and night out um at at at a lot of venues in the country Big South or no how about this ball here's chiao and he necks it to the bottom left Corner 2-n Virginia T yeah ch's been hunting one tonight he's been really good and again this was a ball kind of popped over the top and he's been quick enough to get on the end of it get behind that back line of UNCC Asheville and a really good clinical finish here with the defender bearing down on him not easy to handle but Chow gets it done to double the Virginia Tech lead how important in those first five minutes as we take another look at it there you go chipped over the top and there he is to run in on it got the goalkeeper coming on you great finish there a spectacular Ball by Trey Gardner and CH just had a lob it up and over the Big South goalkeeper of a year from a season ago but I cannot stress him out what a dime of a pass yeah that's an easy one to score with the assist back to front and we we've seen Virginia Tech has have some opportunities with those balls skipping through the Midfield bypassing the Midfield and when you have Chow up there to be able to to you know use his speed and athleticism strength to get behind that back line and and fair was in a one-on-one situation and that's just a that's a tough ask for your keeper all right Adam coach brid said wanted to bring new scores into this thing and into the rotation for Virginia Tech that was the big emphasis in the off season well you had three of your four scorers in the season opener be by new faces and then now in the second game both Hackenberg and Chow at their first of the season they didn't score in the opener so now to this point you've had six different hokey score goals in 2024 excuse me five because you had the uh had the two uh in the last one against North Florida by Sammy Colby yeah you can do it a couple of different ways right you can have one guy and and just kind of be a classic number nine and finish everything for you or you can have a variance and attack it and at some point it might be a combination of both you might go through spells where one guy is getting everything and you might go through a spell here where you're spreading the wealth a little bit uh but it's it's good to have a variety of players that could put the ball in the back of the net for you uh You' love to have somebody come up and get you 12 13 goals in a season but in lie of that if you can if you can score three or four a game you don't care how you get it done what is the sense of urgency now for UNC Asheville because there's a big difference between 1 n and two yeah you've got to turn it up it's got to be right now to be quite honest with you the first 5 10 minutes after the half everybody will tell you how important that is Virginia Tech came out answered the Bell to be quite honest with you after avoiding danger at the end of the first half came out got that second goal you know UNCC Asheville still has time here but it's got to be soon the longer this goes on with Virginia Tech holding the lead the more deflated UNC Asheville could be but again this is a veteran Squad so I don't expect them to hang their heads here Alex Perez can't believe the [Music] call now a set piece from outside for the Bulldogs Luis Beckett and brandan Herb we'll see who puts a foot on [Music] it this is a big moment here for UNCC Asheville again trying to conjure something when you're not having a a the Run of play you're not having possession these are huge moments to try and fight your way back it's Beckett he launches and there's nobody home you see Beckett with his arms outstretched there after taking that one as there really no Runners towards that back post no good options it was a little a little heavy there through there but still no one giving Chase on that far post w rever verses it little bit tricky for Virginia Tech on the backline as now UNC Asheville kind of has to press big time down by a pair of goals yeah of course then you expose yourself to perhaps allowing more opportunities for Virginia Tech but those are going to be some chances you have to take amid was the only one around it besides a handful of orange jerseys and we had the other way Hamid came on as a sub in the first half played really well offensively he's got to try and get going here in the second half that's why he was left in here's Hammond off in the middle now revers to the far [Music] side reverse it once again Edmonson will look to attack just feels like Virginia Tech is kind of holding everybody off there's nowhere to go with it no open man and a takeway in the middle here's Esco Farah lets it get behind him and he's able to fall on top of [Applause] it Chia was looking for his second and again that really just started from effort it was a CH steps in front of that ball at the Midfield kind of innocent looking and all of a sudden Virginia Tech is Off to the Races too careless by UNC Asheville at that portion of the field that was another instance where Chow just kind of jumps on one and takes off speed and athleticism right now on display for Virginia Tech and Chow through ball for chiao Farah is the first one there it's the right idea though we've seen ch's speed on display so why not try again to get one past him break that back line and again this all starts just by child's effort in the Midfield and far usually really short-handed isn't able to get it cleanly but able to get back to his feet and get on top of it there a little bit of Back Spin to that ball I think if the Back Spin was going the other way kind of came back towards him a little bit there with that second angle Corner opportunity again these set opportunities are so huge right now for UNCC Asheville just hasn't been able to build and send crosses in it's a tough task though sending this one into the air so we'll see if perhaps they play short or try to play something along the ground here and then try to send something in Lis Becket is Ted with the opportunity a jumble in front he lofs it up and headed directly to the Earth rolls across the back line Virginia Tech will take it Brennen herb able to get to that one but not really able to get anything of substance off with the [Music] header and UNC Asheville again another set opportunity not able to get a shot on goal you'd love to be able to try and put something on frame and test Cooper wsel does your philosophy change at all if you're Virginia Tech now that you have that second goal for for a little bit of insurance no it really doesn't you're you're hunting the next one you want to continue to press uh maybe not not not as high up on the field and take many chances but you're going to be comfortable um you know really being a aggressive and playing forward you're not going to try and get in the shell and get behind the put numbers behind the ball you're going to still take some chances you just have to be smart with your chances don't get Wreckless going forward where you can get caught on a Counterattack do you feel that Virginia Tech maybe has a little bit of a chip on their shoulder to prove in the conference like hey we can score goals too maybe we didn't last year but this is a new team yeah that's a you know I think right now the task is the task at hand and it's got to feel good that you've been able to put six up in you know three halves plus um in this season um of course we know that the AC going to be a different animal but you have to feel good that you're executing your and finishing your opportunities here in the early going because if you can't get it done then then that you're going to feel real uh not very confident going forward there's a nice ball flags up for offside there that was pretty pretty easy for our AR Hackenberg I think trying to get another one going there H he have been off sides a handful of times tonight twice in the first half first one of the second half I think that's just the result of being aggressive right yeah and you'll you'll take those that was Capa offside mistake there but uh yeah you you'll take those chances called for offside a couple of times tonight and again it's a good idea when you're going to play long you're going to run the risk also of perhaps going offside as as it's a little bit tougher to time that run from from 25 30 yards out so when you're playing a ball that's going to travel a little bit longer it can be a little bit more difficult to time that we came into tonight thinking that UNC Asheville had a real good shot to to make some noise Make This Game very very interesting and to Virginia Tech's credit they have really dominated besides that 10s portion at the end of the first half this has been Virginia Tech's game so it begs the question because the big South's a good conference this is a team pick to finish second played in a championship game last year brings back a lot this is a convincing convincing run for Virginia Tech here it's still plenty of time to play in the second half but is this team better than their second to last pick in the ACC well you'd like to think that if you're a Virginia Tech fan but of course you look at the ACC and somebody's going to finish in that spot CU it's just such a difficult conference but yes this is a much improved team mentioned it in the first half talked to some coaches around the country that think this this might be one of the most improved teams from last year to this year added that Talent uh added the talent as you mentioned through the transfer portal but also a lot of the returning players got that year under their belt and a Year's worth of experience which you cannot put a price on um when it's when when you talk about building a team sometimes you just need need that in-game experience and you have to live it before you can grow from it and get better but this is definitely a a very much improved Virginia Tech side from 2023 to 2024 we got another injured player on the field first one of the second half here they T to him trying to get eyes on a number looks like 20 or 30 looks like that might be grond it's actually 26 pardon me R narson the Iceland native he seems to be shaking it off's one look here we saw ragnarson holding that that chest as we elbow catches him there going to try and catch his breath he's going to start off the field here and then come on when the gets [Applause] permission all Virginia Tech now trying to hold Asheville off the board I mean this is a team Adam that has a chance to go 2 and0 to start the season for the first time since 2019 a year that they started four in them and again trying to get back to the NCAA tournament haven't been there since 2021 the other thing that you want to do is protect your home field and and right now in the early going Virginia Tech is looking like they're doing that you would love to try and get another clean sheet as was going to try something to say about that ball in front just misses that left post another good chance for Luis Becket couldn't bury and again here here's wsel has it red and so he's either going to get it or it's going to go wide yeah so in a good spot there cuz it it looks dangerous as it's rolling past him but he's positioned himself in such a way where if it's on frame he's got it safe and if it goes past his grasp it's going to go out of play headed away immediately but a chance up towards the top scrum in the middle and cleared away there's no way uim Manana in the middle three on three up the field now four on three Tech trying to create lobbed in front Chow with a chance and he's in a mess of black jerseys there and got it taken away rather quickly but again he's been all over the place tonight yeah sometimes it's worth getting that foul called to try and win the ball hope maybe the referee doesn't call it but he was being really physical had his hands on UNCC ashel it gets called but he is in the center of all of the problems here for UNC Asheville I'm eating the Bulldogs punched away Stephenson got beat on the last possession by Luis Becket who missed it wide left he wasn't going to get beat a second time well I got to tell you gon I think that UNCC Ashville has to hope for better on these set opportunities haven't been able to generate a ton and if it's going to be a second ball if it's in the air Virginia Tech is winning the first ball so you got to be quick to that second to try and create a chance trying to threaten on the corner trailing by a pair put in play Stephenson lasers it off goes wide right again and hands on his head Luis Beckett thought he could have done a little better and there was that second chance that I just talked about nothing happening on the service from the corner but it does get to Becket his shot definitely wants it on frame he's disappointed in himself again you got to make wsel make some decisions come out and make some saves have to ask questions of the keeper here 54 saves a season to go for Cooper wsel at Cal State Northridge oh there was a nice touch and it just got out of play Oliver Road tried to kind of dance it down the line here comes see Asheville reversed off to Edmonson tried to give a give and go going and instead it's taken away solid headpiece by ragnarson to make sure Chow didn't have a breakaway [Applause] chance that's a long ball from Asheville trying to get forward three on three sails high and away sat Hammond with his first shot of the second half couldn't put it on Kate not quite as sharp in the final third for UNC Asheville but generating some opportunities not a lot of sustained possession but we're seeing UNCC Ashville create some opportunities get some Corner kicks already have three here in the second half talked about how important those set pieces are but then you're you're generating those but then you're not finishing oh we're going to have a card on the keeper for it perhaps a [Music] Del another card issue here in this match another card here and wsel picks one up how often do you see the keeper get a card well it's an interesting point because you know you don't think of the time wasting really um being as much of a consideration here with still 28 minutes left in this one amid touches it into the middle and all orange everything Virginia Tech works it up the field he plummet south of 30 minutes left to play in this second half been all Virginia Tech all night Chow touches it to uim Mana he's tangled up what a move by uim Mana oana dancing dumps it off to the top and they reverse it Willie Cardona Samy Colby had two goals in the opener that had shades of him wanting to get it on that Left Foot Right and fire one yeah shades of of opening night from Colby where he got two rockets off that left foot from way outside on that first one a similar area outside the box thought for a second OU Mano was going to make something happen we saw him last season one of his three goals on the year against Boston College here at home he had a sports center top 10 goal where he just made a man miss blasted it from downtown top left bins I mean it was sensational Capa tried to get it through to chop oh here's Capa with a chance he's tripped up good dumy there by roach in the middle of the field freeing up Capa forg Tech doing a nice job of possessing and then reversing sides of the field trying to stretch that UNC Asheville from side side and then find your spot to go [Music] forward four saves for the Bulldogs one save for Virginia Tech five yellow cards our stat update is uh a little unique this even piling them up huh cards are in mid-season form nobody home but farer closest toi was Oliver roach streaking up the fiet Adam taking a look at the ACC who would be besides Clemson your pick to kind of make it to that title game as W is there got got a lot of different options and and you'll hear from somebody perhaps that uh you know about how unhappy you might be boy it's it's a tough one I think I think Stanford is is a team that but you don't know how the travel is going to affect you know play it's something that people kind of gloss over that you know men's and women's soccer volleyball teams are going to be traveling across the country and trying to play and be at their best as we take another look at this one he just gets run into here if you're going to really hold my feet to the fire right if you're really going to hold my feet to the fire I I do think SMU is kind of a sneaky team in the ACC because you're not real familiar with them a good season you have access to all kinds of talent in in Texas so I I think that SMU if you're going to if you're going to say take Clemson off the board defending national champion one two the last three uh you look a little bit further down the board I think that SMU could potentially make a run we spent our halftime talking about how loaded this conference is but one thing we did not necessarily Hammer home is that sure the conference is great and these teams are kind of beat up on each other a little bit but grand scheme of things I mean you have top 25 national teams across the board in the United Soccer Coaches pool including five in the top 10 it's unbelievable well I mean just think about how in tense the ACC tournament is is going to be I mean that is a gauntlet if you are holding that trophy at the end of the year you know that's just not something that you can gloss over that is a big big deal you take a look at the the rankings there that is uh you know the ACC tournament is going to be one of the more exciting tournaments in the country and I would I won't say it's more competitive than the ncaaa tournament cuz that's a only a field of 48 everybody's good but my goodness that is going to be a challenge how about a team like like Syracuse because coach McIntyre up in Upstate New York and there's a good chance for the Bulldogs that goes wide left coach McIntyre up in central New York he's got a team that was picked to finish 10th in the ACC with that being said 10th out of 15 teams they were still preseason 25th in the country and now they're all the way up to seven won The Natty in 2022 yeah corner kick here for UNC asille but to your point about Syracuse it it'll be about interestingly I think it'll be about teams that get on a run who's who's playing well who's in really good form at the end of the year corner kick up in the air and again Adam it's just the Bulldogs have had little to no threat on those Corner kicks here in the second half yeah and that's been a big big difference coming out and you get those set piece opportunities got to feel good about that that you're generating them but then you feel that you're not getting a ton of quality opportunities directly off of those that's got to be deflating because you are doing well enough to earn them but just not enough not enough quality in that Final Touch here for the Bulldogs tonight that's one of the reasons that they're scoreless also you know you got to give Virginia Tech a lot of credit when that ball comes in they've been first to the ball it's been a theme tonight sometimes we talk about it being in the Midfield and and winning some of those opportunities and a lot of times on those set pieces it's been those big tall center backs and and midfielders coming in as well to win that first ball and again stopping any chances before they [Applause] start UNC Asheville trying to work nice little give and go naib in the [Music] middle dumps it off to the far touch line lofted towards Hamid back to the net and we got one and injured Hony and we got substitutions coming in as well I think the flag was up there on Hamed being in an offside position so Chow comes out for Tech and he's actually down right now brings Hackenberg in Marcos Esco Back Off the Bench cter Henley the captain will take a sequ and you need Chow seems to be all right walking this one off Chow with a huge one for Virginia Tech early on in the second half just a sensational ball up the field by Trey Gardner and chia with that streaking speed able to bury it bottom left yeah huge uh a great play from the back to get into the front but you see that speed from Chow Fair tries to come out and cut down the angle but a beautiful finish from Chow to get that goal that goal feels as though it has been the Difference Maker kind of the the dagger if you will here's a chance for Tech in front crossed in front and launched away at the last second sanguy got his foot on it and how about that it's funny how the ball finds you Ian Marano Fresh Off the Bench and instantly had an opportunity like that with the not re-entry Char's Knight is done but a good shift out of him he you know of course you love the goal but you got to love the effort that he was putting in and the danger and the pressure that he was putting on UNC Asheville really from uh from the get-go how about a guy like Marano like what what is this opportunity for him you come Fresh Off the Bench you see him flying around there right those fresh legs and if you're on Coach brz's team and and you're one of those got a chance to play but maybe not one of your your day in day out starters I mean these minutes are huge The Freshman out of Maryland yeah you don't know when the next opportunity is is going to come you want to make the most of it you want to put the you know as the football coaches like to say you want to put something on tape right uh so you want to uh you know show that uh you're going to come in and give good effort you're going to be disciplined you're going to do what the coaches asked you to do and you want to try and have an imprint as best you can on the contest and you can also you know gain the trust right you want to J gain the trust of the coaching staff that they can put you in in a game situation you know I'm not sure that this would classify as a high press situation but it's live game action against a very very good team and so can you be trusted to go in there and and do what you're supposed to do do your job and perhaps the next time that there needs to be a decision to be made will you perhaps bubble up to the top of that list and full of new faces in the ball game for the hokes as well Esco in the game for the first time in this second half he's a guy again that maybe not be a starter but they're going to use him a lot uh both offensively and defensively can can kind of do a little bit of everything and I think the honkies love what he brings to the team he's a guy that came off the bench last year so that's a role that he is familiar with I think everybody everybody wants to start everyone wants to play the full game everybody wants to score other goals but part of building a team throughout the year is knowing your role what and what do you do and how do you play to those strengths and how does that complement the other pieces around you so that's that's the challenge as part of this early season going for all programs is to kind of see what pieces you have how do they work together uh to try and get the the results for for your [Applause] team the balls launched into the crowd and they might not get to keep the souvenir but everybody's sticking around too I mean Hoke have it in hand two n and definitely plenty of soccer left to be played but this crowd just didn't a beautiful Tuesday night at Thompson I mean what else should you be doing right sure why not be out here of course you could watch at home when we appreciate those folks doing that but a great night here a great environment for college soccer you get a terrific look at this beautiful venue uh what a great backdrop here in blackburg uh you know I think I think college soccer is is special it brings the game to a lot of places you know it definitely is the world's game we know that but now here in blackb get a touch of it in different parts of the country embracing this Sport and it is it is a fan favorite uh for for college campuses I may be a little biased but I'm under the belief that Thompson field displays some of the most beautiful sunsets not just in the ACC but across the country you got the sun setting behind the Blue Ridge Mountains it's a picturesque backdrop with momus Hall and the Hokey Stone in the back I mean this is a sight this is a sight and a fun place to see a game no doubt about it yeah it would be tough to beat and we are certainly being treated uh to to a beautiful sunset here tonight bringing Delight to the fans kind of matches uh the sky matches that orange uh for Virginia Tech burnt orange I know that it is uh but uh you know I think even more for the fans happy for the two goals in the way that Virginia Tech has played looking for another Hackenberg D Roach and it sent away the biggest problem that UNCC Asheville has faced has been the speed and athleticism uh that Virginia Tech has posed those longer balls back to front have been tough to deal with but when it's been a little bit more organized when when UNC as has been able to be a little more organized they've been better to uh they've been done they've done better defending in that last third the see looks like a cramping issue we talked about the heat here today hydration so important here in this early portion it's such such so crazy because as this season goes on it's going to be bitter cold so you so you start in August and it's it's 90 and the end in December with mittens and [Music] gloves oh he seems to be all right that's the second time we've seen reg narson go down here in this second half yeah took a bump to the chest and now dealing with a cramp looks like his day might be done though as well I mean it's a hot night out there yeah right probably just starting to ease off a little bit if you will with that Sun finally starting to PL it behind up towards 90 de when we got this thing going in [Applause] blackburg Virginia Tech still trying to create still trying to get some opportunities there's the all ACC freshman no way uima but the road ahead it's definitely going to be loed for Virginia Tech not just in the ACC but even the rest of the noncon you're on the road against the top 25 opponent in Kentucky got Presbyterian you're on the road at Ferman and then boom Big Time ACC matchup against the 2022 national champ Syracuse yeah each opportunity particularly in the non-conference you get to see perhaps where you are you're going to get a good look at Kentucky and kind of see if your form can continue great defense by Tak a second chance nobody home Oh I thought Hammond might have been able to let that one fly instead opted to to lay it off not a bad choice as well [Applause] but there's one launched way over the net and out of play in the mix in the middle there really all night has been Stephenson the Bulldogs are pushing a little bit here especially towards the tail end they've had a little bit more generated offense and at this point if you can't win the game you want to find some momentum to carry into the next yeah we talked about trying to press forward and and you don't want to maybe expose yourself to counters I think that's out the window you got to try and go and find one if you end up letting one in on the other end you know so be it but you're going to have to take some chances we have another uh injury and uh you know those moments we talked about the the moments and substitutions injuries you know do you take your chance here with a with another with another substitution I'm not sure it's really critical in this match and how many moments UNCC Asal has sub but it is something to keep an eye on here this year how that gets monitored and managed uh as the season goes on you know if this match is is level does that change your decision making if you've used five moments you use the sixth one here so just an interesting look wrinkle into uh the college soccer season benan Yao getting the electrolytes in his system just south of 14 minutes left to play and you can see how how kind of hard NOS of a coach Mick G ordono is saying hey keep the foot on the gas here in the last little bit yeah this what this match isn't over to him that's for sure urging the Bulldogs to keep keep going keep putting pressure on I I you know obviously UNC Ashville conceded that goal but this has been a better half for UNC Asheville for sure much better than the first half possession forget what the percentage is it's been better uh had created some opportunities Corner kicks the quality in the final third just just hasn't been there uh and that'll happen on some nights and of course Virginia Tech had something to do with that those center backs intervening on those set pieces but better second half here for UNC Ash and you can build off that Esco trying to track it down keeps it in play oh he Meed him Marco zesco touches it off lob to The Far Side Hackenberg wanted a second it's nullified by this backline of the Bulldogs what a play by ASCO though [Applause] and it was a a crafty idea from Rano to try and get that one to the far post just not able to get a teammate there here's roach dumps it off for Esco double team comes it's taken right back Virginia Tech has a quick turnaround as well we talked about the upcoming schedule they'll play on Labor Day at Kentucky the team that's picked to finish fourth in the Sun Belt Sun Belt quickly establishing itself as a really strong soccer conference I think your Outsider looks at that and says what what are you talking about u in the in the Sun Belt that's right Kentucky and Marshall and West Virginia nationally ranked out of the Sun Belt of course there's no soccer for the SE which is why Kentucky is a little bit of a uh I don't even want to use the term free agent the way college sports is now but uh that's how Kentucky has landed in the in the sun Bel independent if you will yeah I guess not independent but a Confluence of circumstances that led to the Sun Belt being really really strong I think that's that's one of those schools right the University of Kentucky its location it's prowess in Lexington that I think any conference says Open Arms hey come on in a beautiful Stadium there as well you're see seen so many universities invest as I mentioned before invest in soccer programs and building beautiful stadiums and venues and creating a fun and exciting environment uh because again would soccer land in Lexington if if not for you know college sports I don't think so but then when it does it's a it's a fun place to play it's a great environment we see that on so many college campuses places that you wouldn't maybe think would create this crazy and fun and exciting soccer environment and and uh you know obviously K's been really good for a while so you know if you win they come and you have fun well I was going to say you know it's a good night when you got the head man smiling and then all of a sudden oh there's a little bit of a smirk out of 16th year head coach Mike brisendine but now he's getting some new faces into the ball game and starting to unload the bench a little bit here Hoke's in front by a pair and not to blor it again but with the with the rule changes in the moments you see more than one player come on at a time so you're going to see more wholesale changes not wholesale changes but two three players come on and sometimes if a player gets injured and you're going to have to make a one for one you might add two or three more players into that just so that you don't you know put one in and then a few moments later burn another uh opportunity a little more basketball es if you will kind of unloading the bench in the late stages Hokies get to do it now for the second time in as many tries in the 2024 season on the verge of starting 2 and0 for the first time since 2019 a year in which they started 4 and0 and played in the NCAA tournament yeah I think if your coach brisen and you're kind of checking off the boxes you the challenges will be greater as this season goes on and that's not to take anything away from UNC Ash but you have to like what you've seen so far in terms of a variety of goal scores a variety of different ways that you scored goals you've seen the team able to solve problems on the Fly see what perhaps the opponent is giving you and take advantage of that and then the other thing that's not to be forgotten is is Virginia Tech still working on trying to see this one through but working on another shutout which is obviously a a huge component to the way that you want to play scored by newcomers but how about this the four goals were the most by the hones in a season opener since putting up 11 against Mars Hill in 1993 but that just goes to show how big a 4-n win truly is I mean it is something to hang your hat on especially to open up the 2024 campaign with an exclamation point yeah and you just want to keep building on that and you know we we talked about it in the open which team was going to be able to take that resounding win and then build off of it and so far it's been Virginia Tech that's been able to do that and looks very similar to what they did last week here tonight it's been a continuation of that and and rather than you know kind of a stop and start and you're maybe not sure what you've got going on uh you know going into next week's match got a better idea of what you've got and the way that you're going to want to play even though you're still a little bit of a work in progress as as every team is here in the country how many players in the NCAA tournament do you think the ACC gets in a year like this gosh it is you know the field is is 48 right and it's just such a narrow there's just like so there's just no room for error um you know nine last year that's a huge number that's crazy it's hard it's going to be I think just from the pure mathematics of it I think it's going to be hard to get more than nine which means you're going to leave some really good teams out and of course some teams are going to have some losing records that are really good really quality sides um but just because the nature of this conference is so hard that some good teams some quality teams are going to end up with some records that might not look that great and they're going to get left out of the NCAA tournament even though I guarantee the the the number 15 team whoever is last would have a puncher chance against any squad in the NCAA tournament that's Stephenson getting stretched out for Virginia Tech been all over the place defensively on the backline for the hokes tonight he's he's earned the right to have a cramp because he has he has been outstanding he's he's been an eraser back there uh for Virginia Tech and again the substitution rules change this entire approach here not that you necessarily would take him out but you have to think about it a little bit more as we've alluded to time in timeout tonight there's a look at Hackenberg who knotted the first goal tonight for Virginia Tech scored on a penalty kick but the Hokey in front one nil this team hasn't looked back since how about that the family's out tonight too it's not just the students bring the kids out to the game Stephenson still in quite a bit of discomfort here we hear the cowbells going as we mentioned the giveaway it's uh it's a little Mississippi State Bulldog ask I can get down with this though we should have cowbells at every soccer match it adds a little bit little extra noise that's a great skit that's a great skin they're excited they're loving it they love the two nothing lead you can never hear that that song by The Blue Oyster Cult quite the same after that yeah that skit they got the bubble machines out tonight too this is this is insanity well Stephenson's going to come on off here and noi uana returns to the field and now he's been waved off so the thing to think about with the substitution rule is if if you've used all of your moments right let's just say let's just say for for for fun that Virginia Tech had used six moments and they've got a player that goes down they have to make a decision right they have to make a decision whether they're going to play a man down or you're going to play in because you've used all of your moments hackenburg launches right to far the other sort of tactical part is the no re-entry that's a that's also another uh new rule no re-entry in the second half there was never re-entry in the first half so the only thing that changes is no re-entry in the second half so you know it changes the patterns of of the way that coaches substituted you know sometimes you'd have a guy start the second half start start both halves come out maybe with uh a half hour left left give them a 15-minute break and then bring them back on to try and close strong but that that's out the window now with the no uh re-entry it feels like such a literal sport changing Ro change I mean it's it's huge well and you think about the way that some programs have built uh is is depth they they've tried to say hey we're going to play we're going to play 18 19 guys and after a half hour we're going to put in six new players with fresh legs and we're going to change the way that this game looks um by substitutes and you know you can still do some of that but you know the way that you've built your programs on depth potentially has has changed because you're not going to be able to um perhaps use as many players as as you did in the past which is you know a selling point for some coaches you come here play you going play half hour and you can kind of count on that oh Virginia tack awarded The Possession Here and Now coach dardona gets to take a seat another yellow card Seth ham and the guilty party for the Bulldogs wizel launches to the offensive third here's a cross in front shot just High wide Oliver roach tried to make it 3-0 incredible feed as well by Harrison c yeah you just said it working to the end line to get that ball across and roach just not able to be super clean there puts it over the crossbar but good work by C to create an opportunity oh what a ball tried to sweep that around with that left foot he not able to get it down and on frame under seven minutes left to play what are the the positive takeaways here for UNC Asheville who again has such a full season in front of them and they're going to continue to play with that chip out in their shoulder and sure you would have loved to go on the road and and win this game but it's a non-con game and and you have so much left to play yeah I think the biggest takeway for me would be the resilience showing shown in that second half as we look what's ahead of UNC Asheville things did not go well for the Bulldogs in the first half didn't have much of the ball but then really responded in the second half created some chances possession still might not have been there but was able to create some corners and uh you know three of the next five on the road so it's going to be tough but I I think there there's enough quality on this side enough EXP experience you know that that a setback tonight if this score holds I don't think is going to make much of a ripple in their season here because they do have some big goals in the Big South Conference I don't think this really derails anything you try to learn from a little bit but I think the biggest takeaway to answer your question is we can respond it was a tough tough environment tough atmosphere tough start uh but as a squad if you're UNC Ashville you got to feel good about the response in the second half Big South play around the corner for this team and it's also worth noting that they were without Conor behan tonight 27 in Black who again pre-season all conference for this team and just a huge contributor he finished tied for the team Sammy kby off to cre let's take it away yeah getting behind back will be big for the Bulldogs as they try to get that get their season back on [Music] track try to get one through three orange jerseys in the way Virginia Tech can reset defensively here Bean was first team all conference a season ago and there he is unfortunately has to wear the Street closed tonight that is a majestic mustache my is that is well done that's impressive you know I think it's worth noting that the other day that the UNCC Asheville bench did have have a card issued to it as we see coach BRZ getting a talking to BRZ is uh in disagreement I think is the the fair thing to say and and there's a [Applause] card another yellow card yeah I think a lot of the cards we've seen tonight have been often times obviously in the situation less about the contact and more about the argument and the uh the show of displeasure um for both players and obviously now extending to the uh coaching staff seven yellow yards tonight between the two teams [Applause] [Music] combined five of them have been owned by the hokes about this movement in the middle roach dancing away from Defenders Marano with it now reverses field good switch there Evan Schroeder trying to set it up off to Hackenberg just south of five minutes left to play hes will throw it in when you look at some of the more dangerous moments from Virginia Tech it's been some of those longer balls and when you think about going forward for UNCC Asheville they're not going to see as many talented athletes like Malik Chow run running down at them and getting behind that back line which is it was he was just a handful tonight getting in behind that back line so when you talk about the ways that perhaps UNC Asheville got broken down tonight it's a lot of it due to that individual talent that Virginia Tech brings that perhaps other opponents going forward aren't going to maybe have uh players that Pro that present that sort of uh a challenge to that back line trer once again to toss it in for Tech tried to find roach and here come the Bulldogs right back with Schroeder Sammy Colby can he strike with the left Colby weaves through traffic and gets it taken away trying to create there in the middle for a second Inside the Box yeah I was going to be curious to see if he was going to shoot with that right try to get it back on that left foot there he is with a touch and now hackenburg serves it off to Roach Best Shot for Creek tonight blocked away now launched and it hits off the back Left [Applause] Post johanes wanted number three and was inches away not sure if that took a deflection but really tough for Farah to deal with fortunate that that one hits the post get another look at it just on the inside of the post too great shot of it here rare occurrence where they had fairer beat if he could have hugged that post it's not a home post is it I guess not not the uh not the home rle that you'd be looking for but again it's it's was Virginia Tech if you kind of break that play down it's Virginia Tech being faster on the second balls ball was across and right now Virginia Tech still with the two nothing lead and only two and a half minutes left and this one is is still hungry and and and working hard to try and find a third looking for another shutout Victory to start the season two and 0 Schroeder backpedaling back into the defensive third Marano touches it right back to Schroeder all of a sudden they got numbers reverses it and here's Creek launches misses [Applause] hot big boot by Farah to the middle headed up to hackenburg he not maged him Hackenberg with space Hackenberg high [Applause] again oh he wanted that one back they all they all want them all the time right the senior from Pittsburgh terrific effort great first touch bringing that one down and he's had a night tonight urging the hokei faithful even in these final moments uh to to stay on their feet I don't know if you've played the new college football video game but the camera was just shaking like where was the stadium pulse meter as everyone stomping here at Thompson field and we're under a minute left to play H's in front 2-0 but they want more inside the final [Music] minute Schroeder with green grass [Applause] final moments here in this one looks like Virginia Tech trying to hold on to this shutout in the final seconds launched towards the net and an easy play for wiel to cap off the night down to 10 seconds and he's going to hang on to it in front of a packed House Virginia Tech a 2-n victory and they're two and0 to start this season for the first time since 2019 a deserved three-point