UNC-Wilmington made the long trip to Blacksburg from the ocean and brought a ton of resolve and skill with them. Having not played each other in living memory, the sides spent the first few minutes sizing each other up with the Hokies attacking hard. But they soon found out that #14 ranked UNC-Wilmington were going to be no pushovers. A big pack of forwards in front of some pacey backs soon had them moving up the field and it was UNC-W who got on the board first with a Graham Joseph penalty. The Hokies scored after driving a line out close to the UNC-W line, Sam Shea went over from close range. But UNC-W responded with a try and led at half time 8-7.
Virginia Tech and UNC-W traded tries in the early part of the second half. Collin McClain did well to finish a flowing move from the Hokies but with five minutes left UNC-W still had a 13-12 lead. Virginia Tech had several opportunities to take the lead but couldn't quite finish the job. They then got a slice of luck when the ball went into touch off a defender and were awarded a line out 5 yards out. Vice-captain Ryan McGrath called for the maul and went over for the score. UNC-W went on the attack and looked likely to score but lost the ball and the Hokies were quick to counter deep in their own half which led to freshman Michael O'Brien touching down for the clinching score. Captain Matt Heitzer slotted the conversion.
The final score of 24-13 does not reflect the game. UNC-W have every right to feel they could have won it. UNC-W will be a force to be reckoned with by the time the D2 playoffs come round. Both coaches have provisionally agreed to a re-match next fall in Wilmington, North Carolina.
This Hokie team can feel very pleased with their efforts. Special mention must go to Mark Measell who came into the Varsity side for the first time at scrum half replacing the injured Austin Himes - he played well and gave good service to the backs. Virginia Tech also said goodbye to Seniors Andrew Seufert and Andrew Miller. Alex Papas also returns to Australia after his one year exchange in Blacksburg.
Its been almost a year since Virginia Tech have won a tight game like this, and have sometimes been found wanting, unable to finish the job in the end. There is a new sense of purpose and collective responsibility - this game could well prove to be a watershed for this team.
Virginia Tech Varsity Team
1. Sam Shea (Sophomore)
2. Kevin Hurley (Junior)
3. Carl Katz (Junior
4. Eric Higgins (Junior)
5. Ron Pelkey (Junior)
6. Ryan McGrath (Junior) - Vice Captain
7. Alex Papas (Senior)
8. Mic Minichiello (Sophomore)
9. Mark Measell (Sophomore)
10. Brian Kelly (Junior)
11. Collin McClain (Sophomore)
12. Matt Heitzer (Senior) - Captain
13. Andrew Seufert (Senior)
14. Andrew Haskell (Freshman)
15. Michael O'Brien (Freshman)
Replacements:
16. Ryan Fish (Senior)
17. Bill Whalen (Senior)
18. Sam Donahue (Freshman)
19. Matt Murray (Sophomore)
20. Luke Keese ((Sophomore)
Scorers:
Tries: Shea, McClain, Mc Grath, O'Brien
Conversions: Seufert, Heitzer
The Junior Varsity team then took on Elon University and won 29-0. They started out strongly with the Hokie forwards clearly in the ascendency. Elon looked to have some good backs and threatened on several occasions but the JV's defense held firm. Ryan Fish got on the end of a Brett Keyes pass and scampered over. Fish then became provider making a break up the left, showing what losing 20 ponds in weight can do for a prop. He off-loaded to Jamie Willis who ran around under the posts. Keyes added the conversion. Nick Funk then got in on the act crashing over to make the score 17-0 at half time. Hokie dominance continued in the second half with another two tries. The game finished 29-0.
This was a really good performance from the JV team. They are another young side that is improving under leadership of captain Mike Barlow. Next week the JV side will take on Radford's B side in an exhibition match as part of the Virginia Tech Open House.
Virginia Tech and UNC-W traded tries in the early part of the second half. Collin McClain did well to finish a flowing move from the Hokies but with five minutes left UNC-W still had a 13-12 lead. Virginia Tech had several opportunities to take the lead but couldn't quite finish the job. They then got a slice of luck when the ball went into touch off a defender and were awarded a line out 5 yards out. Vice-captain Ryan McGrath called for the maul and went over for the score. UNC-W went on the attack and looked likely to score but lost the ball and the Hokies were quick to counter deep in their own half which led to freshman Michael O'Brien touching down for the clinching score. Captain Matt Heitzer slotted the conversion.
The final score of 24-13 does not reflect the game. UNC-W have every right to feel they could have won it. UNC-W will be a force to be reckoned with by the time the D2 playoffs come round. Both coaches have provisionally agreed to a re-match next fall in Wilmington, North Carolina.
This Hokie team can feel very pleased with their efforts. Special mention must go to Mark Measell who came into the Varsity side for the first time at scrum half replacing the injured Austin Himes - he played well and gave good service to the backs. Virginia Tech also said goodbye to Seniors Andrew Seufert and Andrew Miller. Alex Papas also returns to Australia after his one year exchange in Blacksburg.
Its been almost a year since Virginia Tech have won a tight game like this, and have sometimes been found wanting, unable to finish the job in the end. There is a new sense of purpose and collective responsibility - this game could well prove to be a watershed for this team.
Virginia Tech Varsity Team
1. Sam Shea (Sophomore)
2. Kevin Hurley (Junior)
3. Carl Katz (Junior
4. Eric Higgins (Junior)
5. Ron Pelkey (Junior)
6. Ryan McGrath (Junior) - Vice Captain
7. Alex Papas (Senior)
8. Mic Minichiello (Sophomore)
9. Mark Measell (Sophomore)
10. Brian Kelly (Junior)
11. Collin McClain (Sophomore)
12. Matt Heitzer (Senior) - Captain
13. Andrew Seufert (Senior)
14. Andrew Haskell (Freshman)
15. Michael O'Brien (Freshman)
Replacements:
16. Ryan Fish (Senior)
17. Bill Whalen (Senior)
18. Sam Donahue (Freshman)
19. Matt Murray (Sophomore)
20. Luke Keese ((Sophomore)
Scorers:
Tries: Shea, McClain, Mc Grath, O'Brien
Conversions: Seufert, Heitzer
The Junior Varsity team then took on Elon University and won 29-0. They started out strongly with the Hokie forwards clearly in the ascendency. Elon looked to have some good backs and threatened on several occasions but the JV's defense held firm. Ryan Fish got on the end of a Brett Keyes pass and scampered over. Fish then became provider making a break up the left, showing what losing 20 ponds in weight can do for a prop. He off-loaded to Jamie Willis who ran around under the posts. Keyes added the conversion. Nick Funk then got in on the act crashing over to make the score 17-0 at half time. Hokie dominance continued in the second half with another two tries. The game finished 29-0.
This was a really good performance from the JV team. They are another young side that is improving under leadership of captain Mike Barlow. Next week the JV side will take on Radford's B side in an exhibition match as part of the Virginia Tech Open House.
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