#16 Virginia Tech Hands VMI 7-1 Loss in Men's Soccer Action

Men's Soccer VMIKeydets.com

#16 Virginia Tech Hands VMI 7-1 Loss in Men's Soccer Action

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- The Virginia Tech men's soccer team entered Friday's contest against VMI winless in their last four contests. However, they managed to end that slide emphatically with a 7-1 victory over the Keydets on Friday at VT Soccer Stadium, and handed VMI its worst loss in nearly eight seasons. The Hokies managed to fire off 30 shots in the contest, and were led by sophomore Patrick Nyarko's three goals. VMI sophomore Jose Andueza netted the lone goal for the Keydets.

With the win, Virginia Tech improves to 5-3-1 on the season, while the Keydets drop to 2-6.

Virginia Tech came out firing in the first half of today's match, unlashing five shots in the first 16 minutes of play. VMI keeper John Sollock managed to make a pair of early saves to keep the game scoreless, but the Hokies found the net on their seventh attempt. Sophomore forward Patrick Nyarko would open the scoring on a header off a free kick in the 17th minute.

Nyarko would tally his second goal of the game, and sixth of the season in the 33rd minute after converting a penalty kick attempt. Despite holding a 12-3 advantage in shots in the opening frame, though, the Hokies only managed a 2-0 lead heading into the half. Sollock thwarted a few scoring chances as he pulled in three saves in the first half of play.

For the first 26 minutes of the second half, VMI kept the Hokies in check and off the scoreboard. The Keydet offense picked up and was able to get off four shots in that timeframe, but was unable to find the back of the net.

In the 72nd minute, however, the Hokies offense picked things back up and proceeded to open the floodgates. After Bryan Collier pushed the Tech lead up to 3-0, Nyarko picked up his third goal of the game on a breakaway to complete the hat trick just 19 seconds later.

VMI's Andueza did get the Keydets on the scoreboard in the 83rd minute after a Charles Nweke corner kick. The goal was the midfielders first of the season, and the second of his young career.

Virginia Tech would add a pair of late goals to round out the 7-1 win, and pick up their fifth victory on the season. The Keydets fell for the second time in as many games, but will look to sort things out as they are in the midst of a three-game road swing.

In the game, Sollock tied his career-high for saves with seven. Virginia Tech held the advantage in shots (30-8) and corner kicks (13-4).

VMI will now travel to the nation's capital on Wednesday to square off with the Howard Bison (1-6-1). The all-time series between the two schools is knotted at a game apiece, with VMI winning last year's contest 1-0 at Patchin Field.

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