BC unable to carry 4th quarter lead, loses to Va. Tech in ACC opener

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The Hokies improved to 4-0 with the win over the Eagles.

For 3-plus quarters Saturday, the Boston School soccer crew proved it belonged in opposition to 14-point favourite Virginia Tech.

The Eagles matched the Hokies’ physicality, withstood the weather, and gave themselves an opportunity to safe one of many gutsiest wins of the Invoice O’Brien period.

Then, within the ultimate 11 minutes, they unraveled in acquainted trend, falling 21-14 in a moist, windy, and wild matinee at Alumni Stadium.

“We got here right here with a mind-set of be bodily, be bodily,” stated BC defensive lineman E’Lla Boykin. “I really feel like we did that, till the tip.”

Quarterback Mason McKenzie vaulted the Eagles (2-2, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Convention) forward with two second-half dashing touchdowns.

The Hokies (4-0, 1-0) answered the second with consecutive fourth-quarter scores, together with a decisive 76-yard TD run from Jeffrey Overton Jr. with 4:58 remaining. BC couldn’t convert on its ensuing drive, then the Hokies ran out the clock to flee.

“We’ve bought to complete,” Boykin stated. “We’ve been there earlier than. We’ve simply bought to complete.”

It grew to become clear early that nothing would come simply for both offense. With regular rain and powerful wind gusts, each groups had important hassle producing momentum.

Whereas the second half featured many twists and turns, a defensive-minded first half yielded 117 yards and 5 punts for all sides.

“It’s not going to be 42-35,” McKenzie stated. “You’ve bought to do your finest to get first downs.”

O’Brien stated the wind was extra of an element than the rain. McKenzie famous that the ball grew to become wetter as the sport progressed and stated neither crew may do what it usually does offensively.

“It makes the sport much more troublesome, much more bodily,” McKenzie stated. “I assumed we did a great job of dealing with the physicality.”

BC had an opportunity to try a 45-yard subject aim on its opening drive, however elected to go for it and fell quick. The Eagles outgained the Hokies, 94-29, in complete yards in a scoreless first, with McKenzie dashing for 47.

The second quarter was extra of the identical, with KP Worth (10 tackles), Anthony Palano, and Marcus Upton orchestrating a stellar defensive effort for BC.

“We knew the climate was going to be dangerous, so we knew they have been going to should run the ball on us,” Boykin stated.

John Love drilled a 45-yarder with 16 seconds left within the second quarter to offer Virginia Tech a 3-0 halftime benefit. He doubled the lead on a 22-yarder with 11:58 left within the third quarter following a 45-yard punt return from Que’Sean Brown.

The Eagles responded with a 5-yard landing run from McKenzie (11 of 23, 111 yards; 26 carries, 138 yards, 2 TDs) to assert a 7-6 edge with 9:52 remaining within the quarter. McKenzie eclipsed 2,000 profession dashing yards on a 45-yard scamper to arrange the rating.

Two defensive performs from Max Tucker — a compelled fumble and restoration on one drive, and a cease on fourth and 4 on the subsequent — helped the Eagles protect a lead heading to the fourth.

McKenzie added a 2-yard TD rush to push it to 14-6 with 11:09 to go. At that time, Boston School had momentum on its facet with McKenzie because the engine.

“He was banged up however stored coming again,” O’Brien stated. “He did lots of nice issues.”

The Hokies answered with a 10-play, 80-yard drive — capped by a 14-yard cross from Ethan Grunkemeyer to Marlion Jackson and 2-point conversion rush from Overton — to tie it at 14 with 8:05 to go.

Then got here Overton’s decisive blow, down the proper sideline, as a protection that tackled at a excessive degree many of the day disappeared within the defining second.

The Eagles sputtered to the end line and let a winnable sport slip away. It doesn’t get any simpler in a street matchup with Southern Methodist subsequent Saturday at midday.

“It’s irritating, little doubt,” O’Brien stated. “Very irritating. I really feel dangerous for the fellows in that locker room, however we’re going to return to work tomorrow, appropriate some issues, and preserve battling.”

Trevor Hass is a sports activities producer who covers Boston’s skilled groups. He additionally writes about Boston School soccer and highschool sports activities for The Boston Globe.