RADFORD – Radford and Virginia Tech will renew their New River Valley men's soccer rivalry at Cupp Stadium on Tuesday night at 7 p.m., when the Highlanders and Hokies meet for the 33rd time.

Tuesday night also marks a special occasion for the Radford program.  An endowed scholarship in honor of former head coach John Harves (1977-79), who established the program's winning tradition, will be announced at halftime.  

Harves had the first winning season at Radford, finishing the 1977 season at 8-7 (.533) and led the Highlanders to their first double-digit winning season in 1978, ending the campaign with a record of 10-3-3 (.769).  The 1978 team had the longest unbeaten streak in the commonwealth of Virginia that year, going 13 consecutive games without a loss.

In 1979, Radford had its first 11-win season, finishing with a record of 11-6-1 (.647).  That year, Harves led the team to its first post-season playoff appearance.

After 30 years, Harves and his Radford teams own three of the program's all-time records: consecutive games scoring at 21 (1977-1978); fewest goals allowed with 16 (1979); consecutive shutouts with 4 (1979).  He finished his Radford coaching career with a 29-16-4 record.

Harves and his wife, Carolyn, reside in Olney, Md., and work for the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission.  

The Highlanders and Hokies, whose series dates back to Harves' tenure as head coach, have met in 25 of Radford's 26 Division I seasons.   Tech has a 20-10-2 lead in the all-time series.

Radford is 2-5-1 in 2009, following a 1-0 loss at Presbyterian on Saturday.  Tech visits Cupp Stadium with a 3-4-2 record, coming off a 5-1 loss at home to No. 3 Wake Forest on Saturday.

Last October in Blacksburg, after 89 minutes of scoreless play, Virginia Tech broke through with 35 seconds remaining to edge Radford 1-0.  The Hokies created the lone goal of the night with 90 seconds left when Taylor Walsh blasted a shot on net from 25 yards out that goalkeeper Ryan Taylor, making his first collegiate start, was forced to dive and save, setting up a pair of corner kicks.  On the second corner kick try by Tech, a loose ball in front was collected by Hunter Cheatham, who poked it into the top right corner of the net to snap the draw.

The final 20 minutes of the contest were played at a frantic pace at both ends: Radford was able to get off three shots and forced two Thomas St. Germain saves, while the Hokies were awarded six corner kicks.

Admission for Tuesday night's game is $5.  Students are free with their RUID card.