BLACKSBURG, VA. -- The St. Johns University womens soccer team lost to Virginia Tech, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon at Frank O. Mosley Field. The loss drops the Red Storms record to 5-9 and 3-3 in the BIG EAST, but the Red Storm still qualified for the BIG EAST Tournament, which begins on November 3.

SJUs first scoring chance came early in the first half, when freshman Dominica Reina (Frankfort, N.Y.) picked up a loose ball past midfield and launched a shot from about 15 yards out that was saved by Virginian Tech goalkeeper Katie Hancock. The Hokies, however, jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Ryan Johnson picked up a loose ball and beat SJU keeper Tina Fogg (Warwick, R.I.) at the 18:45. Virginia Tech added another goal at the 31:14 mark when Carmen Chestnut took a pass from Johnson. Chestnuts floater sailed over Fogg, giving the Hokies a 2-0 lead at the break.

In the second half, the Red Storm continued to press against Virginia Tech and had their best shot with 33 minutes left. Senior midfielder Lisa Rinaldi (St. Leonard, Quebec, Canada) was fouled and took a direct kick. Her shot was right on the mark, but punched away by Tech goalkeeper Minutes later, junior forward Erin Zambelli (Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) followed with a shot from about 20 yards out that went wide.

The Hokies added another goal at the 69:32 mark, when Joy Nsubuga crossed a ball to Wendy Kotwas. Kotwas was alone on the near side of the field and took a shot from about 15 yards out that was just out of Foggs reach.

St. Johns continued to fight, with Rinaldi approaching for a one-on-one, but that was broken up by a Tech defender whose slide tackle poked the ball away. With 13 minutes left, senior Marissa Stork (Flushing, N.Y.) fed a pass to Rinaldi, whose shot from outside the box went wide.

Virginia Tech outshot St. Johns, 18-8, while the Red Storm had the advantage in corner kicks, 8-1. The Red Storm womens team returns to action on Wednesday, hosting Manhattan at 7 p.m.