FINAL SCORE
Monmouth 1 (2-0-1)
No. 21 Virginia Tech 1 (3-0-1)
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Freshman Ashley Lavrich's first career goal helped the Monmouth University women's soccer team secure a 1-1 tied with No. 21 Virginia Tech University on Sunday afternoon. 
 
Virginia Tech applied the early pressure, but senior Cassie Coster was up to the challenge and made a pair of solid saves.
 
The Hawks broke through at 7:35 as sophomore Loren Gehret flicked a ball into the offensive end and Lavrich chased it down and buried a shot in the near lower corner. 
 
The two teams combined for five shots over the final 36+ minutes of the half but neither was able to capitalize. Monmouth carried the 1-0 lead into the halftime break. 
 
The Hokies were able to strike for the equalizer, just 18 seconds into the second half. Kendall DiMillio took a couple of passes off the opening touch and slipped one past the defense and tied the match at 1-1. 
 
The Hawks fired off a pair of chances in the 73rd minute as sophomore Liza Suydam and junior Summer Reimet put shots on goal but the Hokies' keeper was able to turn them away.
 
Coster came up with another big stop in the 82nd minute to keep the contest knotted at 1-1. 
 
Monmouth had one more chance but Gehret's shot sailed high as time expired and the two sides settled for a 1-1 tie.

NOTES AND QUOTES
"We challenged our team today with a quality ACC opponent and they embraced this opportunity with confidence and humility. The focus and effort our players displayed was impressive. This group is special. They have something to prove, and we are proud of the product they put forth today. Happy for them to be able to grind out a result tonight against a top 25 program."
 – Monmouth Women's Soccer Head Coach Kylee Flynn

- The Hawks remain undefeated through three matches for the second time in three years under head coach Kylee Flynn.
- Monmouth moved to 2-0-1 all-time against Virginia Tech. It was the first meeting between the Hokies and the Hawks since the 1994 season. 
- The Hawks were facing a nationally ranked opponent for the fourth straight season. 
- Freshman Ashley Lavrich's goal was the first of her career. She is the third Hawk to score their first collegiate goal this season (sophomore Emily De Almeida, graduate student Julianna Caccamo).
- Senior Cassie Coster finished with five saves, it was the 10th time in her Monmouth career that she has recorded at least five saves in a match. 

NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Virginia Tech finished the game with a 16-8 edge in shots, including a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal. 
- The Hokies took three corner kicks to Monmouth's one. 
- Cassie Coster made five saves to help Monmouth secure the tie in the game. 
- Lauren Hargrove recorded three saves for Virginia Tech. 

UP NEXT
-Monmouth heads back on the road to visit Binghamton on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 4 p.m.