Division I Defeats Liberty 16-12 to Claim the Blue Ridge Belt

BLACKSBURG, VA – In a battle of grit and determination, the Virginia Tech Division I Men’s Lacrosse team took down rival Liberty University 16-12 in a thrilling, hard-fought matchup to claim the Blue Ridge Belt.

The Hokies stormed out to an early 4-1 lead, but Liberty responded with resilience, battling back to take the lead. What followed was a game of momentum swings, featuring multiple ties and lead changes before Virginia Tech seized control in the fourth quarter, pulling away for the statement victory.

Virginia Tech was anchored in net by the stellar play of Gabe Margosis ('26) and Andrew Wickman ('25), who made key saves in crucial moments to keep the Hokies in the fight. Offensively, Alex Ashley ('26) and Kyle Dickson ('25) led the charge, powering the attack with dynamic playmaking and clutch finishing.

“This was a true team victory,” said Virginia Tech Head Coach Panchito Ojeda. “Every guy on our roster contributed to this win, and I couldn’t be prouder of the effort and heart they showed. Liberty is an incredibly well-coached, talented team, and they made us earn every inch tonight. We have tremendous respect for their players and coaching staff. This is what a rivalry game should be—tough, competitive, and full of great lacrosse.”

With the victory, the Hokies take home the Blue Ridge Belt, cementing their place at the top of one of the most intense rivalries in the region. Virginia Tech will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their road trip to Florida to face ranked foes Florida State and Florida