Hokies Defeat Colorado State, Colorado

Blacksburg, VA - The Hokies welcomed #19 Colorado State and #18 Colorado to town this past weekend. Facing two of the stalwarts of the MCLA would be quite the challenge for the newly minted #1 Hokies.  The team was up to the challenge as they defeated Colorado State 18-6 and Colorado 16-6 on consecutive days.

The Hokies jumped out to an early 1-0 lead thanks to a goal by  SSDM Ryan Gaffney ('26).  Some excellent play at the faceoff dot and some timely caused turnovers allowed the Hokies to extend that lead to 6-0 at the end of the first quarter.  While the Rams were able to generate some offense senior Will Eckert stood tall in the cage allowing just one goal in the first half.  The offense continued to put the ball in the back of the next surging to a 10-1 halftime lead.  The third quarter the Rams came out firing and were able to trim the lead to 13-4 by the end of the quarter but a 5 quarter fourth would put the game away.

On Sunday, the Hokies faced the #18 Buffs.  Colorado came off the bus with lots of energy but the Hokies struck first with a goal from Will Stock ('23).  The Buffs would answer with two straight of their own. The Hokies would answer with an incredible diving goal from Ryan Gaffney ('26) his second on the weekend.  Hokies defense and net minder Will Eckert would lock it down as the Hokies surge to a 7-2 halftime lead.  The third featured more of the Hokies as they extended that lead to 11-3.  The fourth quarter featured the teams trading goals as the Hokies earned the win 16-6.

"Our team battled this weekend" stated Head Coach Panchito Ojeda "These were physical, tough opponents and our team rose to the challenge. I am incredibly proud of our defense giving up just 12 goals in two games against very good offenses."

The two wins put the Hokies at 7-0 on the season with three ranked wins.  They face #2 Georgia Tech on Friday and #13 California on Saturday in Atlanta.