ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy women's soccer team will conclude its abbreviated 2020 fall schedule with a road tilt at Virginia Tech on Saturday afternoon. After completing a home-and-home series with the Pitt Panthers earlier this season, the Mids (0-2) will go up against another Atlantic Coast Conference opponent when they travel to Blacksburg, Virginia to take on a Hokie (2-7, 2-4 ACC) squad that is in the midst of a full league schedule. Kickoff at Thompson Field is set for 4 p.m. and the action will be available on the ACC Network Extra channel.
Fan Attendance Policy at Virginia Tech
To follow the public health guidelines and ensure the safety of student-athletes, staff and fans, all Olympic fall sports at Virginia Tech will compete without fans in attendance until further notice. Virginia Tech women's soccer matches will be played without spectators, while only essential staff and family members of the student-athletes will be allowed in attendance.
CLICK HERE for more information on 2020 Game Day policies & procedures.
Last Time Out
Navy ran into a Pittsburgh squad that continues to roll in its 2020 season and fell by a score of 4-1 on Sunday, October 11 at Ambrose Urbanic Field. Trailing 3-0 at half, the Mids played the Panthers nearly even in the second half, but it wasn't enough to help the visitors avenge an earlier 1-0 overtime loss this season to Pitt.
Caitlin Doran highlighted Navy's play on Sunday as she netted her first career goal in the 63rd minute.
After showing glimpses of an offensive spark down the stretch of the first half, the Mids came out with more energy and chances in the attacking third as they started their comeback attempt in the second 45-minute period.
Emily Keast and
Molly Gillcrist kick-started the offense as each tallied shots in the 48th minute. Keast's attempt was particularly threatening as she juked a defender towards the top of the box and unleashed a stiff shot towards goal that just eeked over the crossbar.
Navy continued testing Pitt's defense and the Mids found success in the form of a
Sadie McCaleb-
Caitlin Doran connection in the 63rd minute. At 62:13, McCaleb hit a looping cross to the back side of the box where Doran caught the ball out of mid-air and snapped off a strong volley into the back of the net.
The 3-1 margin was short lived as Pittsburgh's Amanda West converted a penalty kick a little over two minutes later at 64:37.
That was the extent of the offense on Sunday as the game stayed at that 4-1 score for the final 25-plus minutes. For the game, Pitt outshot Navy, 18-7 with a 7-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Mids had six corner kick opportunities versus three for the Panthers.
Navy vs. Virginia Tech / ACC
Saturday marks the first-ever meeting between the Mids and Hokies ... in their abridged 2020 fall schedule this is the third matchup for Navy against an ACC opponent as the Mids dropped a pair of games to Pittsburgh on Sept. 20 (1-0, OT) and Oct. 11 (4-1) ... all-time, Navy has played 14 games versus ACC competition and has come away with three victories: 2-2 vs. Pitt; 1-1 vs. Miami, 0-2 vs. UNC, 0-6 vs. NC State ... the Mids' most recent ACC win came on Sept. 6, 2009 when they knocked off the Miami Hurricanes as part of the 2009 Hurricane Cup ... Navy has matched up against an ACC squad six times since 2016: 2020 (3 times); 2019 (NCAA Tournament vs. NC State), 2018 and 2016.
Comparing the Teams
|
Navy (2019) |
Va. Tech (2020) |
| Record |
16-3-3, 6-1-2 PL |
2-7, 2-4 ACC |
| Goals/Gm |
1.27 |
1.22 |
| Assists/Gm |
1.27 |
1.22 |
| Shots/Gm |
15.0 |
8.1 |
| Goals Against Average |
0.52 |
1.88 |
| GK Saves/Gm |
2.2 |
5.9 |
Individual Leaders
|
Navy (2019 stats) |
Va. Tech (2020 stats) |
| Goals |
Mang, 5 |
Three Players, 2 |
| Assists |
Dzhandzhapanyan, 4 |
Gray, 5 |
| Points |
Mang, 10 |
Gray, 7 |
| Shots |
Mang/Tran, 35 |
Gray, 20 |
| GK Saves |
Swiger, 7 |
Skinner, 57 |
