Vendel Strikes Again as Blue Devils Fall to Virginia Tech

Freshman Betsy Vendel scored three goals for the fourth straight game, but Central Connecticut State University dropped a 16-4 home decision against Virginia Tech on Thursday. Sophomore Ashley Perkoski added one score as the Blue Devils fall to 2-2 on the season. CCSU will next head on the road for contests against Sacred Heart and Quinnipiac.

The Hokies got on the board first as they tallied two goals within the first two minutes of play. Central countered with Perkoski's lone goal of the game, as she was assisted on the score by freshman Ali Roche at the 24:36 mark.

Tech then rattled off six goals in a row to take an 8-1 lead with just over 10 minutes left in the first half. Junior Caitlyn Wier was integral during the stretch, tallying two goals and an assist during the 9:11 run.

Vendel put a stop to the Hokie run when she netted her first and second goals of the game within a 13 second span. The freshman found the net with 10:32 to play to make it 8-2 and then scored again at the 10:19 mark on an assist from freshman Mackenzy Ryan.

Virginia Tech scored twice more before the half and led 10-3 at the break. The second half started similarly to the first, as the Hokies scored the first two goals and Central countered with one of its own. This time it was Vendel recording her fourth hat trick of the season with 23:50 to play which made it 12-4 Tech.

The Blue Devils then gave up the final four scores as Virginia Tech went on to the 16-4 victory. Roche led CCSU with three ground balls in the game, while freshman Caitlin Karner totaled a team high three caused turnovers. Vendel, junior Michele Conway and sophomore Ashley Mara each picked up one draw control in the defeat.