#1 Virginia Tech vs. Duke Quarterfinal Breakdown
#1 Virginia Tech vs. Duke
The other right side of the bracket's quarterfinal is also between two ACC teams. The Blue Devils came into the NCAA Tournament with an 8-8-4 record, but has pulled off two upsets to get this far. First the Blue Devils defeated Colorado College in penalty kicks and then defeated second-seeded Florida 1-0. The team also needed PKs to win its Sweet 16 game against Arkansas. This is Duke's third consecutive trip to the Elite Eight. The Blue Devils and Hokies will square off in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the programs’ histories. Duke is now 6-1 all-time in NCAA Tournament penalty kick shootouts. Duke is unbeaten at home in 11 straight NCAA Tournament home games dating back to 1999.
Like their opponents, the Hokies also needed penalty kicks to defeat their Sweet 16 opponent, Santa Clara. The trip to the quarterfinals is the first in school history and extends quite the whirlwind the team has been on since the ACC tournament, where it handed Virginia its first loss on the season in the semifinals. Prior to the 1-1 tie against Santa Clara, the Hokies had yet to give up a goal in the NCAA Tournament. Freshman Murielle Tiernan has been playing beyond her years the last two matches, as she has accounted for both goals the team has scored; Virginia Tech defeated West Virginia 1-0 in the second round. She also had the clinching penalty kick against Santa Clara.
