Virginia Tech 2, Syracuse 1: Own-goal the difference in another loss

All of the pieces finally seemed to be clicking again for the Syracuse Orange women’s soccer team (7-5-2, 0-4-1 ACC) in the second half of their match Thursday night against Virginia Tech (9-4-1, 1-3-1 ACC). Unfortunately, an untimely own-goal gave the Hokies the victory in the waning moments, stunning the home crowd into silence.

Junior goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan and the defensive unit in front of her put in an otherwise stellar performance after Tech scored their first goal in the 19th minute. Junior midfielder Madi Conyers received a cross into the box from junior midfielder Laila Grey and sophomore midfielder Kristina Diana punched it past Brosnan to give her team the early lead. The defense buckled down from then on, Brosnan coming up with three big saves the rest of the half to keep it at a one-goal game. Freshman forward Sydney Brackett had a chance to tie the game in the 31st minute, but her shot hit the crossbar.

The Hokies had the momentum throughout the first half, outshooting the Orange 9-2, but Syracuse grabbed it right back in the second. Senior defender Maddie Iozzi took a corner kick in the 71st minute, crossed it into the box, and a Tech defender accidentally headed it past her goalkeeper Maddie McGlynn, tying the game up at one.

Brosnan was tested all night, her biggest challenge coming on a penalty kick from senior midfielder Candace Cephers in the 83rd minute. Cephers tried to fake her out, but Brosnan was ready, punching the ball away from the net to keep the game knotted at one.

Three minutes later on a free kick for the Hokies, the Orange defense attempted to clear a long ball, but instead put the ball just out of Brosnan's reach to give Tech back the lead. It would end up being the deciding goal of the contest, as junior forward Alex Lamontagne’s last-ditch effort in the 88th minute was scooped up by McGlynn.

Players of the Match

• Kristina Diana, Virginia Tech, Midfielder: 5 shots, 3 shots-on-goal, 1 goal
• Maddie McGlynn, Virginia Tech, Goalkeeper: 1 goal allowed, 7 saves
• Courtney Brosnan, Junior, Goalkeeper: 2 goals allowed, 5 saves

Up Next

Syracuse has a quick turnaround as they will face the No. 2 team in the nation when Florida State (9-2-1, 3-1-1 ACC) comes into town on Sunday. All fans in attendance are encouraged to wear their orange finest. The local chapter of the American Outlaws, the rowdy and raucous national team fans, will be there as well. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. ET.