WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University women's soccer team defeated the No. 15 Virginia Tech Hokies on Sunday evening in Blacksburg, Virginia. With the win, GU improves to 2-0-1 on the season while Virginia Tech slides to 3-1-0.
 
Head Coach Dave Nolan
"What a gutsy performance by the girls tonight. It is never easy coming down here to face the Hokies and we knew it would be a real challenge to get a result. This group is led by some strong senior leadership and that really helped us over the line tonight.
 
We started brightly and created some very good chances; it was kind of ironic that we scored off a set piece. A dangerous delivery was kept alive, and Maja Lardner finished a true goal scorer's goal. I was a little disappointed we didn't have a bigger lead at the half as I knew they would come out firing in the second half. They put us under real pressure in the second half and deservedly tied it up.  However, we didn't wilt and came back into the game and managed to get a second goal and held on. We had some very strong performances, in particular, Maja Lardner, Natalie Means, Henley Tippins and Cara Martin, who was excellent in goal. We also got some great play from some of our younger players like Cassie Delinsky and Aaliyah Pitts.
 
We will enjoy the result and performance and now have to start thinking about an excellent Virginia team next Sunday."
 
About the Match

• Both sides had a few good opportunities in the first 15 minutes of action but neither side was able to find the back of the net.
• GU was able to create a good chance in the 22nd minute as Henley Tippins fired a shot on frame but the Hokie goalkeeper was able to smother the shot keeping the score even at 0-0.
• In the 27th minute, GU earned a corner and Shay Montgomery whipped in a dangerous ball toward the penalty spot. Lizzie Heller rifled a shot on net that was saved off the line by a Hokie defender. Natalie Means got on the end of the rebound and flicked a ball into Maja Lardner who hammered a one touch shot into the bottom left corner of the net giving GU an early 1-0 advantage.
• GU took the 1-0 lead into the break.
• In the 58th minute, a turnover in the middle of the field from the Hoyas led to a Virginia Tech breakaway. Eliana Salama was able to take a couple touches before pushing one past Cara Martin evening the score at 1-1.
• In the 66th minute, GU earned a corner on the left side of the goal. Mary Cochran stepped up to take the kick and put an incredible bend on the ball, flying it past the Hokie defenders and keeper into the far side netting, as GU took the 2-1 lead with 24 minutes left in the half.
• Virginia Tech didn't go away as the Hokies had a chance in the 86th minute. From 20-yards out the Hokie ripped a shot on frame that took a deflection, and Martin flew through the air and picked the ball out of the top right corner keeping the Hoya advantage at one with four minutes left.
• The Blue & Gray was able to fend off the Hokie comeback efforts, upsetting the No. 15 team in the country 2-1 at the final whistle.

 
Notable Stats

• Aaliyah Pitts made her collegiate debut and earned the start.
• Lardner tallied her fourth goal of the season and has scored in every game this season for the Hoyas.
• Cochran tallied her first goal of the season.
• Means tallied her second assist of the season.  

WHAT LIES AHEAD
The Blue & Gray will return to action on Sunday, August 31 as the Hoyas travel to Charlottesville, Virginia. to take on No. 17 Virginia. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. A link to live stats will be available on GUHoyas.com.