JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Sep. 29, 2025) - There are games that leave teams asking "what if?"  

Monday night was one of those games for the ETSU men's soccer team. 

An 11th minute red card against Virginia Tech proved too much to overcome in a 1-0 loss at Summers-Taylor Stadium on Monday night. 

The game tilted almost immediately in favor of the visitors when Henrique Cruz was caught in possession by Hokies (3-2-3) forward Alex Perez, who stole the ball and raced past Cruz only to be hauled back by a clear pull of Perez's jersey. Cruz was issued a straight red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity, leaving the Buccaneers (0-5-3) with 10 players for the remaining 79 minutes. 

The Hokies struggled to capitalize as ETSU's defense kept them outside the box and denied their forwards high-percentage chances. They broke through in the 30th minute when right back Noe Uwimana fired a hard cross head-high for substitute forward Dagur Traustason, whose glancing header was pinned against the left post by ETSU 'keeper Emil Holmberg before bouncing free and rolling just over the line. 

ETSU kept the Hokies at bay in the second half despite their numbers disadvantage and possession overwhelmingly favoring the Hokies, and many of Virginia Tech's best looks and shots on goal came from distance. In the 86th, Stanley Isaac was awarded a free kick 22 yards from goal after being cut off from the ball by two defenders. Ryan Suckling struck the set piece true but bounced it off the right goalpost, and Sam Joseph stopped a subsequent chance from Nicola Brocca on the rebound, marking ETSU's only shot on goal. 

The Bucs were outshot 19-5, and outshot on goal 8-1. Holmberg tied a season high with seven saves. 

ETSU returns to the field Saturday night at Summers-Taylor Stadium against #17 UNCG. Kickoff is set for 6:00pm. 

For more information on ETSU men's soccer, go to ETSUBucs.com.