Final Score: Virginia Tech 10, VCU 5
Location: Blacksburg, Va. (Cary Street Field)
Records: VCU 0-1, Virginia Tech 1-0
 
The Short Story: VCU trailed Virginia Tech early before rallying to get within 5-4 with 7:23 left in the third quarter. Despite playing stout defense throughout much of the contest, the Hokies pulled away in the fourth quarter for the win.

QUICK FACTS:

• Ashley Karn scored a career-high four goals on just five shot attempts
• Maddie Mullenbach scored once on three shot attempts. It marked her first goal at VCU
• Kiley Kozak and Rachel Koeneke each had an assist for the Rams
• The Hokies outshot the Rams 32-22 overall and 21-16 in shots on goal
• Ahnika Eberl made her first career start and had 11 saves in the game
• VCU led in draw controls 10-9. VCU went 0-for-4 on free positions while Virgina Tech was 0-for-2
• The Hokies were led by Olivia Vergano who had three goals and three assists

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Hokies jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first quarter as the Rams had seven shot attempts but struggled to get the ball past Tech's goalkeeper despite seven shot attempts
• Karn helped kickstart VCU's offense in the second quarter with her second goal of the day with 6:59 left before halftime. VCU held the Hokies scoreless in the second quarter and trailed just 5-3 at the break
• Karn scored her third of the game with 7:23 left in the third quarter to get the Rams within 5-4
• Overall, VCU held Virginia Tech scoreless for a 30:46 stretch of game action from 3:14 in the first quarter until the Hokies got a goal from Caroline Little with 2:28 in the third
• The Hokies scored five unanswered goals to push their lead to 10-4 before Karn was able to get one back for VCU with 27 seconds remaining

UP NEXT:
VCU hosts Elon for its home opener on Saturday, Feb. 17 for a 2 p.m. draw.