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   Welcome to TSLMail #298 - Friday, September 28, 2007    
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   Tech Sports News


The Best Team at Virginia Tech Right Now

The best team at Virginia Tech right now is not coached by Frank Beamer. Although the football team gets all the headlines, another team that plays its games across Spring Road from Lane Stadium is beating Tech�s gridiron team from a performance standpoint. They are coached by Oliver Weiss, and they are looking to make their third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.

The Virginia Tech men�s soccer team is off to a fast start in the 2007 season. The Hokies have sprinted out to a 6-1-1 start (1-0 ACC), and are currently ranked #12 in the nation. They face a daunting challenge tonight on the road at #4 Virginia (6-1-1, 0-0-1 ACC), but before we look at that game, let�s take a look at how the Hokies got to this point.


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Tech opened the season in the VCU Nike/Alltel Classic in Richmond. The season did not get off to a good start, as the Hokies got shellacked by host VCU 4-0, and they certainly didn�t look like the #12 team in the nation at the time.

However, Tech got back on track by winning five matches in a row, including two against ranked teams. The Hokies faced their first ACC foe, #19 Clemson, during that stretch. They managed to knock off the Tigers 2-1 in double overtime back on September 7 in Blacksburg.

After following that up with a win over St. John�s, the Hokies traveled to Tulsa to take part in the Level 3 Golden Hurricane Classic. Tech was very impressive in this event. The Hokies knocked off the host team, #23 Tulsa, 3-2 in the opening match. In the second and final game of the event, Tech defeated Oral Roberts 3-1.

Tech was on a roll, now ranked #15 in the nation. They traveled to Williamsburg to take on William & Mary, and the feisty Tribe battled Virginia Tech to a 1-1 draw. In William & Mary�s previous match, they had tied UNC 0-0 in Chapel Hill, so they are a very competitive team.

The Hokies posted their first shutout of the season this past Tuesday against Richmond. They knocked off the Spiders 1-0 in Blacksburg to run their unbeaten streak to seven matches.

Now comes a major test, on the road against one of the top college soccer programs in the country. However, this isn�t new territory for the Hokies. They have played UVA every year since joining the ACC, and they�ve posted a 2-1 record against the powerful Cavaliers in that period.

Their first meeting as ACC rivals came during the 2004 season in Blacksburg. Although Tech struggled in their first year in the ACC, they did enjoy a couple of huge victories, and one of them was against UVA. The Hoos rolled into Blacksburg ranked #2 in the nation and were promptly sent back to Charlottesville with a 2-1 loss. Tech also defeated #1 Duke 1-0 in Durham that season.

In 2005, Tech was ranked #12 in the nation and traveled to Charlottesville to take on #5 UVA. Again, the Hokies walked out as winners, downing the Cavaliers 2-1 in overtime in their own house. Tech also defeated #11 NC State 4-0 and #4 UNC 1-0 in that same season, and made it to the NCAA Tournament.

UVA got revenge last season. The #2 Hoos defeated #19 Virginia Tech 3-1 in Blacksburg. The Hokies� biggest win last year was against #3 Clemson 5-2 in Blacksburg.

The Hokies aren�t expected to beat UVA tonight, but as history shows, they can. ACC soccer is pretty much as good as it gets from top to bottom. In the latest NSCAA/adidas national rankings, released Tuesday, six ACC teams are ranked in the top 25:

NSCAA Rankings
Men's Division I  National Poll - September 25, 2007 
(ACC Teams in White/Blue)

Rank  

School

  Prev.  

  W-L-T  

1

Wake Forest University (23)  575

 1 

   6 -  0 -  0  

2

Notre Dame 538

 4 

   5 -  1 -  1  

3

Northwestern University 495

 6 

   6 -  0 -  1  

4

Virginia, University of 492

 3 

   5 -  1 -  1  

5

Connecticut, University of 484

 2 

   7 -  1 -  0  

6

Santa Clara University 475

 8 

   5 -  1 -  2  

7

Duke University 430

 12 

   5 -  2 -  0  

8

West Virginia University 393

 5 

   5 -  2 -  0  

9

Southern Methodist University 364

 11 

   4 -  2 -  1  

10

Michigan, University of 342

 14 

   7 -  0 -  1  

11

Harvard University 310

 9 

   6 -  1 -  1  

12

Virginia Tech 274

 15 

   5 -  1 -  1  

13

Creighton University 271

 7 

   3 -  1 -  2  

14

Brown University 251

 21 

   6 -  0 -  1  

15

Saint Louis University 244

 18 

   3 -  1 -  2  

16

South Florida, University of 242

 17 

   6 -  1 -  0  

17

UCLA 237

 13 

   3 -  3 -  1  

18

Maryland, University of 160

 16 

   3 -  3 -  1  

19

Indiana University 153

 10 

   3 -  3 -  1  

20

UC Santa Barbara 136

 20 

   3 -  2 -  2  

21

Boston College 134

 RV 

   5 -  1 -  0  

22

California, University of 90

 24 

   4 -  2 -  1  

23

Tulsa, University of 81

 RV 

   5 -  2 -  0  

24

Washington, University of 76.5

 22 

   5 -  2 -  1  

25

Furman University 71

 23 

   7 -  1 -  0  


There is a lot of parity in the ACC, and any team can beat any team on any given night. If the Hokies can pull off their third win in four years against UVA tonight, it would be sweet revenge for a school that isn�t well-known for having success in Olympic Sports.

Whatever happens tonight, it�s clear that the men�s soccer program is heading in the right direction, and has actually been heading in that direction since Weiss arrived.

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   TechSideline.com Updates From the Past Week

ACC Predictions for the Hokies

September 28, 2007
If there's one thing Virginia Tech fans should have learned throughout the years, it's to not let the early games affect your judgment on the remainder of the season. The Hokies have gotten off to some very good starts, but finished poorly (2001, 2002, 2003), and they've also looked rough in the early going, but finished strong (1995, 2004, 2006). So while Tech hasn't looked very good so far, they still have talent and are capable of turning this thing around.
more

Scouting Report and Game Prediction: UNC
September 28, 2007
T.J. Yates (#13, 6-3.5 205, r-Fr., 5.03) is a drop-back quarterback with a quick release and strong arm. He has some mobility, but he is best when staying in the pocket. Yates does not always set himself when he throws on the move, and he tends to make more mistakes when on the move. When throwing on rhythm, he looks very good. However, at times he demonstrates "happy feet" in the pocket when pressured.
more

Q&A with Amherst Stars Rose and McCoy
September 28, 2007
QB/DB Peter Rose and WR/DB Derrick McCoy have helped Amherst (VA) to a 4-0 record so far this season. The talented duo seeks back-to-back state championships to end their outstanding high school careers before heading to Virginia Tech. TSL caught up with both players for a Q&A to check in on the season as well as their future as Hokies.
more

Keys to the Game and Matchups to Watch: UNC
September 27, 2007
The ACC season opens for Virginia Tech as the Tar Heels of North Carolina challenge the Hokies in Lane Stadium at noon this Saturday. Butch Davis arrives in Chapel Hill with a great deal of fanfare, but the talent level at UNC does not come close to resembling his Miami teams. Virginia Tech still has quite a few questions to be answered this season, but North Carolina has even more. So, what should we expect this Saturday?
more

Football Update: Render Suspended, Drager Likely to Get Redshirt
September 27, 2007
Virginia Tech's struggling offensive line, ranked 11th in the ACC and 110th nationally in sacks allowed, will have to do without one of its better players for one quarter Saturday. Right guard Sergio Render has been suspended for the first quarter of the game against UNC.
Also: Darrion Pellum Denied by NCAA Clearinghouse
more

TSL Audio: The Len Martez Show, 9/26/07
September 27, 2007
In this latest installment, Chris Coleman and Len Martez talk about the popular topics of the day: Branden Ore's declining production (and Kenny Lewis, Jr.'s rising production), the offensive line, and the performance of Tyrod Taylor. (WMA format, compatible with Windows Media Player and MP3 players, 3.1 MB, 13:17)
more

Class of '09 Preview: Heastie Lands Five Offers
September 27, 2007
Great Bridge (Chesapeake, VA) junior wide receiver Logan Heastie already boasts five official Division 1A scholarship offers with one important one expected to be on the way. The 6-1 1/2, 190-pound Heastie is certainly cementing his position as one of the top overall junior recruits in the state of Virginia.
more

Football Game Preview: Virginia Tech vs. North Carolina
September 26, 2007
Virginia Tech's most important game of the season so far is this Saturday against UNC. Throw out the much-anticipated matchup with LSU, the rebound game against Ohio, and the emotional season-opener against ECU. This is conference play, and with a win the Hokies will take the first step to their goal of a Coastal Division title.
more

St. Anthony's Guard to Visit Virginia Tech
September 26, 2007
St. Anthony's (Jersey City, N.J.) guard Tyshawn Taylor enjoyed an excellent spring and summer, becoming one of the better backcourt recruits in the 2008 recruiting class. Legendary St. Anthony's head coach Bob Hurley, Sr., discussed the standout senior's ability and recruitment, which is set to pick up this weekend with an official visit.
more

Ocean Lakes Star Has a Top Five
September 25, 2007
When we last spoke with Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, VA) ATH Marcus Davis, he had just visited the University of Florida and came back very, very impressed with the Gators. Florida remains high on the list of the 6-5, 215-pound prospect, but the Gators have yet to extend an official scholarship offer. They have, however, picked up its recruitment.
more

Hokie Hotline Notes for 9/24/07
September 25, 2007
Last night, guests were offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, athletic director Jim Weaver, and head football coach Frank Beamer. Stinespring discussed Branden Ore, Ed Wang, and Tyrod Taylor, Weaver talked about football scheduling, and Beamer told fans to be patient, that the offense would improve.
more

Monday Thoughts: William & Mary
September 24, 2007
Careful, I keep telling myself. It was just one game. I'm always saying that you can't draw a lot of conclusions from one game, and it's not smart to flip out or get hyper because of one game. Having said that, the one game we're talking about here, a 44-3 win over Division 1-AA William & Mary, was pretty alarming. It was a win that was lopsided on the scoreboard, but nearly even statistically. ACC play opens this Saturday for the Hokies, and alarm bells are clanging loudly.
more

Around the ACC: Week 4
September 24, 2007
The ACC standings look funny. Two teams are 3-0, another is 2-0, while Miami and Virginia Tech haven't even played their first conference game yet. It appears that Clemson and Boston College are the teams to beat in the Atlantic Division. Georgia Tech is a disappointment in the Coastal, while UVA sits atop the Coastal standings with a 3-0 record.
more

Clemson Game Time Announced
September 24, 2007
Virginia Tech's football game with Clemson, scheduled for October 6, will kickoff at 6 pm and will be nationally televised by ESPN. The game is expected to play a major role in the ACC Championship race.
Also: Chris Drager out for the season; Clemson Tailgate Info.
more

Tech to Receive Massie's First Official Visit
September 24, 2007
Big-time prospect Bobby Massie had initially stated that he would make all of his official visits after the end of his senior season. That was until Liberty Christian Academy (Lynchburg, VA) head coach Frank Rocco gave his team this coming Saturday off, freeing up a weekend for the 6-7, 330-pound offensive tackle/defensive tackle to make his first official visit. Massie will not have to travel far, as he and his mother will be in Blacksburg this weekend.
more

Hokies Whip Tribe, Await ACC Play
September 22, 2007
Blacksburg, VA--#17 Virginia Tech performed poorly offensively, but their defense was dominant, and the Hokies used their superior athletes to defeat William & Mary 44-3 in Lane Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Hokies improved to 3-1 on the season, and await their first ACC contest against UNC.
more
 
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