“Our maturity level should be better,” Tech coach Mike Brizendine, the 17th-year head coach, told the media as part of his mandatory media duties. “That’s my frustration. We had the ball in the middle of the field, we gave it away. That’s where the problem starts. And then because we’re in transition and we’re giving the ball away, someone has to commit a mistake.”

The second of a two-goal comeback came following Brizendine’s cited foul, which saw the Hokies lose a crucial ACC game to a No. 2 Clemson team that once looked like a walk to a Hokie success.

On a cool Friday night at Thompson Field, a lingering sunset was interrupted by a series of dark clouds, almost foreshadowing the night’s events.

The Hokies and Tigers spent most of the first half throwing shots that didn’t really land. There were moments of misunderstanding on the Tech offense, and Clemson did not appreciate the intensity Tech brought. So when Hokie forward Oliver Roche was in goal thanks to a skied kick from goalkeeper Cooper Wenzel, it was essential that Roche maintain his composure in front of goal; However, Roche suffered a headbutt that spared Clemson for the first of many times.

A few minutes later, it was like deja vu had struck, and Roche was face to face again; Yet with much less confidence, Roche failed to find the net, leaving the packed rafters disappointed.

However, there was something about this Tech side that refused to give up; Even as the chances presented themselves, the Hokies continued to force them, so when a fairly lucky own goal in the 30th minute off a cross from left winger Noe Uwimana ended up in the corner of the net, a wave of well-deserved relief spread through the stands.

The Hokies weren’t done there. A few minutes later, a bad back pass from Tigers goalkeeper Patrick Donovan left Donovan stranded, and Roche latched on to the kick and eventually scored his first goal of the evening, causing Thompson to burst into a burst of celebration , including a moment where Hokie fans and players met. as Brizendine’s team jumped against the fence that separated the two sides, where Tech’s players came face-to-face with fans in awe that the No. 2 team in the country was on the verge of his third defeat this season.

Unlike basketball and football, where a mistake made early can usually be rectified. In football, the chances we remember most are the ones that never resulted in a goal. With just under three minutes left in the first half, Clemson forward Alex Meinhard exposed the Hokies’ frail backline. As he outran Hokie defenders on the left side of the six-yard box, he drew Tech’s eyes to him, which opened a lane for Ransford Gyan to drive into the box and score one goal, which cut Clemson’s deficit to one. before the break.

To open the second half, the momentum that was once swinging toward the black-finishing Hokies had shifted fully in favor of a Clemson team that dominated possession and, with that, forced the Hokies into their own half of land, making it impossible for Tech to gain. any lasting burst of momentum.

Then came the previously mentioned level of maturity, which allowed a well-delivered ball from Ransford to find the head of Joran Gerbet, who fired his header at the near post and past Wenzel, who had been left watching the ball de Gerbet, who finally fell. under the net, to complete the Tiger’s return.

Although Tech awoke from his slumber, he was never able to find the back of the net. Forward Andy Sullins launched four shots, each narrowly missing the net. Still, the best chance fell to Roche, who received a ball on his feet from Malick Thiaw at the end of a Hokie counter that found Roche on goal with Donovan. However, with the best save of the evening, Donovan sprawled his left foot, denying Roche what likely would have been the final goal of the match.

“We didn’t lose, so that still gives us a preview (of the College Cup), we still control our own destiny. If we can win a first-round game, we’ll be in a really good position.” Said Mild-mannered Brizendine.

As of Halloween, Virginia Tech sits at 48th in the RPI. Ultimately, only 48 teams make the Cup, and with some spots taken up due to the conference winners receiving an automatic bid, that leaves the Hokies planted in a gray area before the time comes when the committee selects the few others.

Additional links:

Virginia Tech vs. Syracuse: Final Score Predictions for Saturday’s Game

Virginia Tech Football: Kicker Kyle Lowe will wear No. 25 against Syracuse

Virginia Tech Football: Syracuse Head Coach Fran Brown Previews Game Against Virginia Tech