WOMEN’S NEWS … Unranked Virginia Tech took over first place in the ACC with a 2-1 win at No. 23 Virginia on Wednesday. The game turned in the 13th minute when Virginia was awarded a penalty kick, but Hokie goalie Kristin Carden saved Lauren Alwine‘s shot.
Virginia Tech, which had never scored more than one goal against Virginia, got goals from Robin Chidester, who made a 40-yard run to the top of the box and cut a shot back just inside the far post, and Julian Johnson, who chipped a ball from 15 yards out just under the crossbar.
The Hokies will put their 3-0 ACC record on the line on Sunday when they host No. 2 North Carolina, the defending ACC and national champion.
Wednesday Results
* SILICON VALLEY SUPERCLASICO. You can bet Santa Clara players have had Thursday night’s game against No. 1 Stanford marked on their calendars. Last year, the Cardinal won, 5-0, at Buck Shaw Stadium, marking the beginning of the end of a miserable season for the Broncos, who went on to win only one conference game and finish 4-12-4.
Stanford returns to Buck Shaw as the top-ranked team in the country, but another rout is unlikely. Santa Clara is 8-3-0. Both teams have gotten great play from their freshmen.
* BATTLE OF THE FRESHMEN:
Stanford:
RB-*Rachel Quon, Eclipse Select (Should return to starting lineup this week)
CB-**Alina Gariciamendez, Dallas Texans (Only freshman to start every game)
M-Mariah Nogueira, Slammers FC (Tied for third on Cardinal with nine points)
F-*Courtney Verloo, FC Portland (Tied for second on Cardinal with five assists)
Santa Clara:
LB-*Olivia Klei, Pleasanton Rage (Has started 10 of 11 games)
M-Lauren Matheson, So Cal Blues (Scored insurance goal in big win over Notre Dame)
M-Allie Vernon, NSA Tigers (Celebrated first start with goal against Purdue)
F-Amanda Webster, Stars of Mass. (Leads freshmen with two goals and two assists)
*Represented USA at 2008 Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
**Represented Mexico at 2008 Under-20 Women’s World Cup.