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	1	2	OT	2 OT	F
Louisville (7-4-4)	0	1	0	0	1
(24) Virginia Tech (10-4-2)	0	1	0	0	1
Thompson Field - 617 Box Score Photo Gallery

BLACKSBURG – Down a goal late in the second half against Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) foe Louisville on Senior Day, the No. 24-ranked Virginia Tech women’s soccer team dug deep and pulled out a 1-1 double-overtime draw on Sunday afternoon, at Thompson Field.

Senior forward Murielle Tiernan earned the equalizer in the 81st minute, and redshirt junior Blayne Fink earned five saves in her first career start, including one stop in the first overtime period, to preserve the tie.

The Cardinals (7-4-4, 2-2-3) made a strong push late in the second half, tallying two shots, one on-goal, and three corner kicks in the final three minutes of regulation, but Fink stood her ground each time. Most impressive was a fingertip save on a shot from a driving Kaela Dickerman in the 87th minute.

Neither team had a clean look at the net in the two overtime periods, although Tech did earn six shots in 20 extra minutes of play.

Tech (10-4-2, 2-3-2) finished with a 19-13 edge in shots. Fink had five saves on the day, while Louisville’s goalkeeper Taylor Bucklin had eight stops. The Hokies claimed an 11-6 edge in corner kicks.

With Louisville content to hold the ball with under 10 minutes to play in regulation, the Hokies made the most of an earned chance. Tech lined up for a corner in the 78th minute, resulting in control of possession for the following two minutes. Sophomore midfielder Kristina Diana took a shot at the net, but Bucklin was there to make the stop. However, Tiernan, a 2016 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy candidate, was just inside the penalty box and was able to capitalize on Diana’s rebounded shot for her eighth goal of the season.

Louisville broke scoreless play in the 66th minute, converting on a series of chances off a corner kick from freshman forward Brooklynn Rivers. Freshman midfielder Callie McKinney pounced on the ball just inside the box and sent her bending shot toward the left post and out of Fink’s reach for her first career goal as a Cardinal.

Of note, the Hokies honored seven seniors – Jordyn Brock, Candace Cephers, Sydney Curtis, Bria Dixon, Blayne Fink, Marie Johnston and Murielle Tiernan – prior to first kick.

HEAD COACH CHUGGER ADAIR QUOTES

“I think you saw it today. They (the seniors) have the ability to grind it out. If you look at Candace and Murielle, they are at the top of the list as far as grinding things out. They are willing to work and get us the result when we need it. They got us back in the game when we needed it. That’s something that they have. Candace has the ability to do a lot of work that people don’t do. It goes unnoticed a lot, but she is impactful for us in that aspect. Same thing with Murielle. Sydney did a good job in the back as well. I also was really happy and pleased with Blayne stepping in with her first start. She played significant minutes for us today, and it was important for us.”

“She (Blayne Fink) played well. She did what she needed to do. We had two or three chances to clear the goal, and we didn’t do it as a team. She did what she needed to do other than that.”

“I thought we controlled much of the game in the first have. We were the better side. I was not as happy with our performance in the second half. Once they scored the goal, I was happy with the way we came back and put pressure on them. We adjusted well, and we were able to get back into the game.”

NOTES

The Hokies are 1-1-3 all-time against the Cardinals … Today’s game marked Tech’s third overtime game of the season … Tiernan recorded a game-high six shots, placing two on goal, followed by junior forward Alani Johnson with four shots … Tiernan (8 G) owns a team-best eight goals, pacing the team with 16 points, followed by Johnson with 12 points (6 G).

NEXT UP

The Hokies will rest for three days before returning to Thompson Field for a match against No. 20 Notre Dame on Thursday, Oct. 20. Fist kick is set for 3:30 p.m., prior to the Virginia Tech football game vs. Miami at 7 p.m.

Thursday’s match also is “Maroon Effect” night at Thompson Field. Admission is free, and fans are encouraged to wear maroon in support of the Hokies. The team will giveaway maroon metallic pom poms to the first 100 kids at the game.

Links for live stats and video will be available at HokieSports.com.

FOLLOW ALONG

Fans can follow all the action during each match of the 2016 season by following the squad on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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