Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 12 No. 1 | August 2019

inside.hokiesports.com 43 really good stuff. It was a little bit of a learning process of how to play and how to win games. We won a number of tight games, which helped the season be better. I think we won four or five 1-0 games. So I was pleased that we were able to figure out how to win those types of games. “In the [NCAA] tournament, I think we did a really good job of adjusting to different styles of play and keeping ourselves out of trouble against some good teams … As the game went on in both of those matches [against Texas and Arkansas], I thought we got better and more comfortable and confident. I was pleased with that. We were able to grind out those results.” The NCAA appearance ended a two-year absence for this proud program, and the two wins left the Hokies at 11-8-3 overall in 2018—Tech also went 5-5 in ACC action. More importantly, the NCAA wins left them hungering for more, and with a roster that returns nearly every key component from last season, they enter the 2019 campaign with high expectations. Tech returns nine players who started at least 10 matches in 2018. Though the Hokies lost six seniors from last season’s squad, they only lost two—Alia Abu El Hawa and Heather Timothy—who started. They return 19 of the 20 goals scored from last season, and the squad features a core of seven seniors, all of whom played extensively last fall and have in their careers. Two all-conference players—goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn and defender Kelsey Irwin—serve as the foundation of this team. McGlynn, a senior who has started 56 matches in her career, anchors this squad as the key building block. She started all 22 matches last season and tied for the ACC lead with 10 shutouts. “She has been consistent throughout her career, and that’s been one of her strengths,” Adair said. “She’s a real fun personality and has a great effect on the group. She’s a steady, reliable force on the back line. We’re hoping to grow her kicking game, maybe grow her ability on crosses, and just build on her shot-stopping ability.” Irwin, a redshirt senior with 53 career starts, scored three goals and handed out an assist in 2018. Her primary role, however, is to prevent McGlynn from seeing any action. Fellow seniors Jaylyn Thompson, Jordan Hemmen and Kiersten Hening return as defenders, along with redshirt sophomores Kara Henderson and Olivia Odle, both of whom 7 Tech’s roster features seven seniors . 6 Emily Gray’s six assists in 2018 led the squad. 5 In 2018, Tech won five ACC matches for the fifth time since the school joined the league for the 2004-05 season. 4 Four players return who registered at least 10 shots on goal in 2018. 10 Mandy McGlynn’s 10 shutouts in goal led the ACC last fall. 9 Nine players return who started at least 10 matches in 2018. 8 The Hokies return eight players who scored goals last season. INSIDE T H E N U M B E R S 3 Karlie Johnson and Jordan Hemmen led Tech with three game-winning goals last fall. 2 The Hokies’ top two point scorers in 2018, Karlie Johnson and Emily Gray, were freshmen. 1 Tech won four matches by a score of 1-0 last fall. Continued on page 44