October 1, 2003

THIS WEEK IN HOKIE MEN'S SOCCER:

Sunday, Oct. 5 - Hokies at Syracuse, 1 p.m., in Syracuse, N.Y. (BIG EAST match)

HOKIES RIDE WAVE OF SUCCESS: Virginia Tech hopes to continue on the wave of success this weekend at Syracuse. The Hokies are fresh off a 2-1 overtime upset over 10^th-ranked Rutgers. The win, the Hokies seventh in 2003, gave the team the highest win total for any team in the BIG EAST this season

SERIES RESULTS: The Hokies lead the series 2-0-0. Virginia Tech won last year's match 1-0 at home and defeated the Orangemen 2-0 in Syracuse in 2001.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT:

* The Syracuse Orangemen were 2-5-2 overall and 0-2-1 in the BIG EAST before a Thursday match with Notre Dame. SU has been extremely competitive this year with three double-overtime matches and one single-overtime match.

HOKIES REGIONALLY RANKED: The Virginia Tech men's soccer team is ranked 5^th in the South Atlantic Region this week. The rankings are compiled by NSCAA/Adidas.

HOKIE NOTES: The Hokies upset #10 Rutgers 2-1 in overtime on Sunday...The win was the second straight victory for the Hokies against a nationally ranked opponent...Freshman Scott Spangler was named BIG EAST co-Rookie of the Week this week...Virginia Tech has played two consecutive overtime matches and three overall in 2003...The Hokies have not scored more than two goals in a match this year, but they have not allowed more than two to any opponent either...The Hokies are only allowing 11.0 shots per match.

A LOOK AT THE BIG EAST: The Virginia Tech Hokies are currently in fourth place in the BIG EAST with a 2-1-0 record for six points. St. John's leads the league at 4-1-0 for 12 points. Syracuse is 13^th at 0-2-1.

LEAGUE STAT WATCH: A quick look at where the Hokies rank in the BIG EAST stats:

Shots - 1^st

Points - 3^rd

Goals - 3^rd

Goals Per Match - 4^th

Assists - 2^nd

Assists Per Match - 4^th

Goals Allowed - 3^rd

Goals Against Average - 3^rd

Saves - 10^th

Shutouts - 2^nd

Corner Kicks - 1^st

INDIVIDUAL STAT WATCH: A quick look at where the Hokie players rank in the conference stats:

Shots - Ben Nason, 2^nd

Shots - Peer Rogge, 2^nd

Shots - Bobby O'Brien, 4^th

Shots Per Match - Ben Nason, 3^rd

Shots Per Match - Peer Rogge, 3^rd

Shots Per Match - Bobby O'Brien, 7^th

Points - Bobby O'Brien, 8^th

Goals - Ken Jonmaire, 9^th

Goals - Bobby O'Brien, 9^th

Goals - Scott Spangler, 9^th

Goals Per Match - Ken Jonmaire, 9^th

Assists - Ben Nason, 3^rd

Assists - Bailey Allman, 7^th

Assists - Bobby O'Brien, 7^th

Assists Per Match - Ben Nason, 8^th

Saves - Chase Harrison, 5^th

Shutouts - Chase Harrison, 2^nd

Shutouts Per Match - Chase Harrison, 6^th

Goals Against Average - Chase Harrison, 3^rd

Save Percentage - Chase Harrison, 5^th

SOUTH ATLANTIC RANKINGS: Freshman Ben Nason ranks second in the South Atlantic NCAA stats region in assists (4). Goalkeeper Chase Harrison ranks fourth in goals against average (0.76) and in saves (34). Bobby O'Brien ranks 16^th in points (9).

BEAM ME UP, SCOTTY: Freshman Scott Spangler earned the men's soccer team's first BIG EAST weekly award when he was named co-Rookie of the Week on Monday. Spangler scored two goals and helped the Hokies defeat #10 Rutgers.

PEER PRESSURE: Sophomore Peer (pronounced like pair) Rogge netted his second game-winning goal in the upset over Rutgers. Rogge got a pass from Bobby O'Brien and made his shot count. Rogge leads the team this year in game-winning goals and also had one last season.

DEFENSIVE ALL-STARS: Credit has to be given to the Hokie defense this year. When the game has been on the line, the Hokie backfield has stepped up. Led by seniors Harold Russell and Lasse Mertins, the backs held Rutgers' and BIG EAST leading scorer Josh Gros to no shots last Sunday. Sophomore transfer Dustin Dyer and freshman Chad Steuck have joined Russell and Mertins in helping goalkeeper Chase Harrison this year. The Hokies have allowed just 11.0 shots per match, meaning Harrison's job is easier. Harrison has made 34 saves and has a low 0.76 goals against average.

POWER FROM THE FRONT LINE: The Hokie offensive unit has been equally impressive. The Hokies lead the BIG EAST in shots per match (18.3) and corner kicks (70). Virginia Tech leads the league by almost 50 more shots and 20 more corner kicks than the team ranked second.

UP NEXT: The Hokies host Connecticut on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.