Collegiate Times

This past Sunday, the Hokies fell to the Stanford University Cardinal 12-10. Tech and Stanford were deadlocked at 10 after a quick goal from Tech's No. 10 jersey-wearing Kady McBrearty, with just 41.9 seconds left in the second half.

"Our goal before this game was to keep Stanford to under ten goals," said Tech head coach Katrina Silva. "And we did that. Just not in OT."

After regulation came to a close, an intense six minute overtime period was played, Virginia Tech's first of the season. The Cardinal won the draw and took possession in the Hokies' defensive end, passing around the goal for over two agonizing minutes while biding time. Finally, after several failed shots on Tech Goalkeeper Kari Morrison, Stanford was awarded a free position shot after a penalty, just feet in front of the crease. Liz Piselli of the Cardinal slipped it past Morrison with only three more minutes to play in overtime.

"We need to take risks earlier," Silva said. "We need to start with a sense of urgency like we had during overtime."

The Hokies worked hard to re-gain possession, but the stingy Stanford team wasn't about to share. Morrison again came under attack with only 17.7 seconds left to play when Michelle Dechant put her fifth goal of the night in the net for the Cardinal.

As time expired, so did Hokie hopes. Tech recorded its first loss against Stanford in three career meetings.

Megan Burker, assistant coach for the Hokies and a class of '06 Stanford Grad, said, "They just came out tougher from the first whistle."

Tech's only lead saw daylight for the first fourteen minutes of the game; after which the Hokies trailed for the rest of the match, for a stretch by as high as three. Stanford's tough defense left Tech scoreless for as long as 20 minutes during the game, eventually keeping the Hokies below their season average of eleven goals scored a game.

This defeat was Tech's fourth in a row, after another hard fought loss 16-7, last Friday against fifth-ranked Duke.

"Duke was a fast break team," said senior defender Bryana Keenan. "Stanford really settled the ball well, and had good plays around the crease."

Tech's turnovers were the lowest of the season with just 11, while the Cardinal coughed up the ball 19 times over the 66 minutes played. The fierce Tech defense caused 13 of those turnovers.

"We really pressured the ball," Keenan said. "It's all about causing turnovers before the other team even gets inside the box. The attack can stick the ball in, we just have to get it back to them as quick as possible."

Tech hopes to rebound this week as it travels north to first take on Delaware, and then heading west against Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio.

Silva is positive the Hokies can recover from this recent streak of losses.

"We are close, close, close," she said. "Its just mentality. This team just isn't used to winning. But these are great girls: and we're going to go up."