Vanderbilt soccer blew a 17-point second-quarter lead in opposition to Virginia Tech in its season opener Saturday, however the Commodores got here again to win 34-27 in time beyond regulation.
In time beyond regulation, the Commodores acquired the ball first and switch quarterback Diego Pavia led a landing drive, scoring on a quarterback keeper from 4 yards out.
Virginia Tech quarterback Colin Schlee’s fourth-down go went out of the again of the tip zone to present Vanderbilt the win.
The Commodores acquired out to a 17-0 lead within the first half however Virginia Tech scored its first factors simply earlier than halftime. The Hokies then had been the higher workforce within the second half as Vanderbilt struggled on offense and Virginia Tech linked on extra deep balls.
Virginia Tech took its first lead with 4:21 remaining within the fourth quarter when Kyron Drones and Ali Jennings linked on a 62-yard landing go.
The Commodores then drove down the sphere and scored a landing with 1:51 left. They opted to kick the additional level as an alternative of trying a two-point conversion.
Vanderbilt pressured a three-and-out and drove down the sphere to arrange a area objective try, however Brock Taylor missed the kick to ship the sport to time beyond regulation.
Diego Pavia impactful as runner in Vanderbilt soccer debut
Vanderbilt selected its spots with Pavia’s arm however selected as an alternative to unleash him as a runner. Pavia succeeded at making the suitable reads and catching the protection off guard with zone-reads, read-options and bootlegs.
Pavia was additionally profitable handing the ball off to Sedrick Alexander, who made some spotlight performs within the crimson zone, together with spin strikes and a hurdle.
Vanderbilt run protection improved, go protection a piece in progress
Vanderbilt’s protection seemed higher than it has previously with coach Clark Lea now calling performs.
The one factor the Commodores’ protection might want to clear up is the defensive penalties, with a number of private fouls referred to as. CJ Taylor and Langston Patterson had been amongst these referred to as for private fouls.
Vanderbilt was particularly capable of include Virginia Tech’s dashing assault, with the go protection being extra of a wrestle. When the Hokies started to take extra deep photographs throughout the second half, they usually linked, together with a 44-yard go within the fourth quarter that arrange the game-tying landing.
STADIUM CONSTRUCTIONVanderbilt soccer stadium building replace: What followers have to know for 2024 season
Vanderbilt struggles with fumbles
Though Vanderbilt did not lose any, the Commodores did have three fumbles on a few of their misdirection performs.
Pavia was capable of save two of these performs, recognizing the ball and selecting it up. On the third, Junior Sherrill recovered his personal fumble.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X, previously Twitter, @aria_gerson.