After giving up four unanswered goals to start the game, Penn State battled back but fell short at the buzzer.
Six different Nittany Lions found the back of the net in the first round win.
Tessa Janecke is now in second place in career points at Penn State with 119.
The Nittany Lions' high-powered offense propelled them to a neutral-site win against the Hokies.
"It just worked out that this is Ace's hometown, so it made it even more special for all of us and for Ace and his family."
The Nittany Lions scored 28 bench points against Virginia Tech.