Riley Fox Digital Portfolio

BLACKSBURG, VA -- With the final whistle blown and their last practice on April 7 officially in the books, the Virginia Tech Women's Club Soccer team has wrapped up an action-packed and memorable 2024 season.  From competing in the NIRSA National Tournament in Austin, Texas last fall to grinding through eight games in 48 hours at the 7v7 tournament this past weekend in Chapel Hill, the Hokies showcased grit, growth, and togetherness every step of the way.  The spring season was highlighted by a focus on development, allowing underclassmen to step into larger roles while seniors closed out their final chapter on the pitch. Although there are no more games scheduled for the semester, the team will come together once more for their annual end-of-year dinner, a beloved tradition that brings everyone back to reflect and celebrate the past season. During the event, seniors are honored with custom baskets and team superlatives, and the graduating class hands out personalized "paper p...

CHAPEL HILL, NC -- This past weekend, the Virginia Tech Women's Club Soccer team traveled to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to compete in its first ever 7v7 Tournament, featuring many of the top women's club soccer teams on the East Coast.  The Hokies entered two squads, Maroon and Orange, into the tournament pool, allowing more players across the roster to see playing time. However, the team was without six seniors due to injuries and other commitments, placing the pressure on the shoulders of the underclassmen.  With only one prior spring match under their belts, the Hokies were challenged not only by their opponents but also by fatigue, playing eight games in just 48 hours.  Across both squads, the Hokies recorded two wins (4-0, 4-3), two draws (1-1, 2-2), and three losses (5-2, 5-4, 3-2). Hokies Maroon (1-2-1) were lead by club president Keagan McGovern and senior forward Lauren Peyton, who tallied four goals in four games, including a hat trick in their final match aga...

BLACKSBURG, VA -- For senior forward Lauren Peyton, her journey as one of the longest-tenured Virginia Tech Women's Club Soccer players has been deeply impactful, shaping her both on and off the field. Since joining the team as a freshman, Peyton has grown alongside her teammates, earned numerous accolades, and set a high standard for younger players through her dedication, work ethic, and competitive spirit.  "These past four years on this team have given me some of my greatest memories...I'm excited to compete but sad to see this chapter close," Peyton shared.  As the Hokies prepare for their 7v7 Tournament at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Peyton offered insight into what to expect from her team this weekend. "With two teams in the tournament, more of our practice players and those who didn’t see much time on the field last season will get opportunities to compete," she said. When asked about potential rivalries in the tournament, P...

BLACKSBURG,VA --For the Virginia Tech Women's Club Soccer team, the spring semester provides a much deserved break from the chaos of the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) season.  After a successful season which led them to the National Tournament in Austin, Texas last November, the Hokies competed in the open bracket and came up just short of the title, falling in the semifinal match to eventual runners-up, Missouri.  Although they opted not to join the Collegiate Club Soccer (CCS) Spring League as their men’s team did, the Hokies still have an action-packed spring ahead. They practice twice a week to maintain fitness for upcoming matches and tournaments. To encourage regular participation, the team has scheduled friendly matches against local schools. On March 2, they traveled to Harrisonburg to face James Madison University, suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Lady Dukes. Additional friendlies are yet to be determined, but the t...

BLACKSBURG,VA -- A kid's dream is to always play the sport they love at the professional level. And before you make it professionally, for most athletes collegiate athletics is the first step. Although a staggering 7% of women's high school athletes make it to the collegiate level, Mallory became a part of that 7%. Her journey is one to remember and sets the example for students who love their sport to never give up, because the right opportunity will be out there for the taking if the work is put in. This story is a culmination of her soccer experience, and some insights from past and current teammates on the type of person she is on and off the field. Enjoy this package! Riley Fox, Virginia Tech School of Communication

Source: Filipe Costa & Georgia Athletics BLACKSBURG, VA and ATHENS, GA -- For Filipe Costa, a senior Division I tennis player at the University of Georgia, the journey through collegiate tennis has been anything but ordinary. Costa has navigated the evolving landscape of college athletics, shaped by the transfer portal and the growing influence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. His story highlights both the opportunities and challenges these changes present to student-athletes today.  Costa, initially committed to Arizona State University, was drawn by the opportunity to play under a familiar coach he has known since he was a kid. However, once he arrived on campus, he quickly realized that the team's culture and dynamic did not align with his interests.  "The (ASU) team culture and dynamic is the most important part of the team and it wasn't suited to me," Costa expressed. "Culture eats strategy for breakfast...if the culture isn't there, then yo...