December 7, 2011
Looking back at women's soccer's return to the Sweet 16
The Hokies record fourth-straight ACC and NCAA Tournament appearances

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech women’s soccer team recently concluded its 2011 season, highlighted by its fourth-straight ACC and NCAA Tournament appearances, while matching its best finish in the NCAAs.

For the fifth time in program history, the Hokies (14-8-1) earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament, making a run all the way to the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years. Improving its overall NCAA record to 4-5, Tech matched the best finish in the Tournament since 2009.

Before falling to conference-opponent Virginia in the third round, Tech upset two top-20 teams. The Hokies were matched up with the BIG EAST champion and then-No. 9 West Virginia in the first round of the NCAAs. Junior Kelly Conheeney notched the game-winner in the first half to lift the Hokies to a 1-0 victory to advance them to the second round.

The shutout over the Mountaineers marked Tech’s 11th shutout of the season, which set a new program record for most shutouts in a single season.

In the second round, the Hokies traveled to Charlottesville, Va., to take on then-No. 17 Texas A&M. Although the Big 12 champions were favored to win, Tech dominated the field playing its best soccer of the season. The Hokies went on to beat the Aggies 3-1, as Conheeney notched her seventh game-winner of the season.

In addition to its fourth-straight NCAA appearance, the Hokies earned a spot in the ACC Tournament for the fourth-straight year. Tech, who finished 4-5-1 in the conference, was matched up with top-seeded Duke. Although the regular season champions won 1-0, the Hokies played one of their best games of the season limiting the Blue Devils to just one early goal off a corner kick.

During the regular season, Tech kicked off the 2011 season with an impressive six-game winning streak. They started the season off with six-straight wins for the first time since 1994 and it consisted of four shutouts and the Hokies outscored their opponents 19-3.

Conheeney and sophomore Jazmine Reeves garnered conference accolades, marking the first time Tech placed two athletes on the All-ACC second team.

Conheeney also was named CollegeSoccer360.com’s Primetime Performer of the Week twice. Her first honor was early, on Aug. 23, as she helped the Hokies to a 2-0 start and her second came on Nov. 15 after she led Tech to a 1-0 upset over then-No. 8 North Carolina.

Reeves was also placed on the TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Week on Oct. 17 for her game-winner over NC State.

Entering conference play, the Hokies were matched up against seven top-20 teams. Tech posted convincing wins over NC State, Miami and Clemson, while upsetting then-No. 8 North Carolina and shutting out then-No. 5 Wake Forest in a scoreless tie. All of the Hokies’ five conference losses came from teams ranked 13th or higher.

TEAM LEADERS

Points – Conheeney (12g, 6a = 30)

Goals – Conheeney (12)

Assists – Reeves (9)

Shots – Conheeney (64)

GW Goals – Conheeney (7)

Saves – Colpitts (76)

Shutouts – Colpitts (7)

Wins – Colpitts (9)

RECORDS / NOTABLES

- Tech’s 14-8-1 record was the program’s second highest for season wins.

- The four consecutive road wins earlier this season marked a new season record.

- The 11 shutouts this season were the most in Tech history.

- The Hokies’ six-game winning streak matched the 1994 season with the best season start.

- Tech placed two athletes on the All-ACC second team for the first time.

- Kelly Conheeney became the first woman soccer player to notch over 20 goals and 20 assists in a career.

- Conheeney became Tech’s all-time leader in career points after she recorded three assists against Clemson.

- Conheeney’s seven game-winning goals this season led her to become Tech’s all-time leader with 14 overall.

- Conheeney’s two goals against Campbell led her to become tied for first in multi-goal games in Tech’s all-time record book.

- Senior Brittany Michels became Tech’s all-time leader in career games played with 90.

- Sophomore Dayle Colpitts set a new school record with seven shutouts during a single season.

- Colpitts recorded her 19th career win in the second round of NCAAs to place her second in Tech’s all-time record books.

- The senior class consisting of Michels, Katie Cramp, Rachel Beaumont and Brittany Popko became the most winningest class in program history with 50 overall wins.

- Popko scored the first goal against the Aggies, her first in more than 50 games.

For updates on Virginia Tech women's soccer, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_WSoccer).

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