BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Gardner-Webb men's soccer team suffered a 4-0 loss at #22 Virginia Tech on Tuesday evening, ending up on the losing side of a match for the first time since September 6.
The Hokies (6-2-1) used three goals by Kristo Strickler to put the match out of reach early. Strickler scored off headers in the eighth and 14th minutes before using his foot in the 27th minute to extend Virginia Tech's lead to 3-0. His third goal came from the edge of the box and was his eighth of the season.
"We didn't come out with intensity tonight," said head coach Tony Setzer. "We were in awe of Virginia Tech's athleticism and let them take us away from our game plan. (Kristo) Strickler had too many quality looks early, and we couldn't find a way to stop him. We let them control the match and struggled to gain possession. It was a disappointing result, but Virginia Tech is ranked 22nd for a reason."
Gardner-Webb (4-4-1) managed just five shots, four of which came in the first half. Simen Olsen had the first attempt for the Runnin' Bulldogs, but his shot was blocked by a Virginia Tech defender. GWU's leading goal scorer, Oskar Wang, attempted to get the 'Dogs on the board, but sent the ball over the net in the 17th minute.
Two minutes later, Dylan Dominguez placed the lone shot on goal for Gardner-Webb, but his attempt was saved by the Hokies' Mathijs Swaneveld. Jorge Salgado, who earned his first Big South Conference weekly award when he was named Freshman of the Week on September 23, took the final shot of the half for the Runnin' Bulldogs, and it was wide of the net.
After 45 minutes of play, Gardner-Webb trailed Virginia Tech, 3-0.
Virginia Tech extended its lead to 4-0 eight minutes into the final half, and placed three more shots on goal over the final 37 minutes, but one was saved by Daniel Husa, while Mallel Rios saved a pair with less than 20 minutes to go.
Gardner-Webb's lone shot of the match came off the foot of Edin Hernandez with 4:19 remaining and landed wide of the net.
The Hokies outshot the Runnin' Bulldogs, 19-5 and placed more than half of their attempts on target. Gardner-Webb placed just one of its five shots on goal. Virginia Tech took five corners, while the Runnin' Bulldogs earned four.
The Hokies' Swaneveld recorded the clean sheet and made one save. Husa earned the start for the 'Dogs and played 64 minutes. He made four saves in the cage before Rios entered in relief. Over the final 26 minutes, Rios stopped two shots.
Gardner-Webb will return to action on Saturday, October 5 when it travels to Radford for a Big South Conference contest.
