Virginia Tech squeezes out 1-0 win over Syracuse women’s soccer

The Virginia Tech Hokies (6-1-3) defeated the Syracuse Orange (3-5-2) 1-0 at SU Soccer Stadium on Sunday.

The Hokies went winless in ACC play last season and are now 2-0 to begin this year’s run. The Orange have not scored since netting a goal against Niagara on Aug. 27 in their loss.

The first half was scoreless, with a strong defensive outing for the Orange, including junior defender Jasmine Nixon and sophomore defender Natalie Magnotta. The Hokies got 10 shots off in the half, with three of them from leading senior forward Anna Weir. All seven of the other shots came from the rest of the Hokies cast, making for an all-around effort. Syracuse goalkeeper Maya Naimoli faced two of them, with the rest blocked or off target.

In the 44th minute to end the half, Orange sophomore forward Ali Howard had an opportunity to score, but ultimately could not connect on her shot that went just wide.

After the break, the Orange came out firing, with two shots from sophomore midfielder Abby Incorvaia, but eventually settled into a similar setup to the first half. Syracuse’s junior midfielder Anna Croyle was a standout, breaking up plays all over the field.

As the second half progressed, the game got lively with four yellow cards issued. Virginia’s Peyton May and Gabby Ciocca were given cards, while Farrah Stephens-Martin and Abby Incorvaia received them for the Orange.

There was a lot of opportunities for both teams, including an Orange shot by Olivia Bozzo in the 66th that went just high and another on the Hokie’s side in the 78th for Eliana Salama.

With little time left, the Orange were pressed to make something happen. They had their first two corners of the game down the stretch but could not connect on either. 

In a final push effort off the corner in the 89th, Abby Incorvaia fired her third shot of the game and hit the crossbar. 

The Orange fall 0-3-0 in ACC play and will be back in action on Thursday, Sept. 24 at home.