BLACKSBURG, Va. – It took one of the top defensive teams in the country to stop Longwood's three-game win streak, but undefeated ACC powerhouse Virginia Tech used its stifling backline and an early game-winner from senior Alani Johnson to subdue the red-hot Lancers 1-0 Monday evening at Thompson Field.
 
Longwood (4-2) entered the matchup in the midst of the program's best start of the Division I era, owner of a three-game win streak and the lowest goals against average in the Big South. However, the home-field Hokies flexed their high-major muscle early and rode Johnson's ninth-minute game-winner to their fourth consecutive shutout win, coming out on top of a defensive slugfest that saw just six combined shots on goal.
 
Playing their third game in five days, the Lancers held Virginia Tech (5-0-1) to a season-low three shots on goal, but Johnson punched in the first of those to give the Hokies all they needed to outlast Longwood on their home field. Johnson found the back of the net just 8:23 after the opening whistle, and Hokie goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn withstood Longwood's three shots on goal to preserve Virginia Tech's ACC-leading fifth shutout of the season.
 
"That was our third game in five days, and we lost 1-0 to an ACC power on their home field," said Longwood head coach Todd Dyer, whose Lancers took the Hokies to the wire in a 1-0 loss last season in Blacksburg as well. "The first half we looked like a bunch of deer caught in the headlights. But in the second half, the real Longwood showed up, and we made a game of it."
 
The second half was a different story for the Lancers, who endured a 10-1 shot deficit in the first half but held the Hokies without a single shot on goal in the second half. Lancer sophomore Emilie Kupsov and freshman Madison Hommey put McGlynn to work after halftime as well, each finding shooting lanes but coming away empty-handed after the Hokie keeper saved both.
 
"If we can put 90 minutes together like that, we will be just fine moving forward."
 
McGlynn's shutout was the fourth straight for Virginia Tech, which owns an ACC-leading .947 save percentage and a 0.20 goals against average that is the second lowest in the conference. Virginia Tech's backline trio of Alia Abu El Hawa, Kari Johnson and Jaylyn Thompson never stepped off the field in the shutout, helping front McGlynn's ACC-leading fourth shutout of the season.
 
The loss is Longwood's first since a 1-0 defeat against Towson on Aug. 24. The Lancers, who have had just one day of prep before their past two games, will now get a break until their next outing on Friday, Sept. 8, when they face UNC Greensboro on the road at  7 p.m.
 
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