Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech men’s soccer team inked nine players in its initial signing class for the 2018-19 academic year on Wednesday.
Head coach Mike Brizendine looks forward to the addition of these players to the program, which has advanced in the NCAA Tournament in consecutive seasons. In 2016, Brizendine guided the team to the Elite Eight, and in 2017, the Hokies made the second round.
“I’m very pleased with the group of young men who committed to our program,” Brizendine said. “Our recruiting philosophy here at Virginia Tech is to start with Virginia and work our way out from there. Our coaching staff worked hard to get some of the top kids in the state of Virginia. We were also able to get a good blend of experienced players. Filling in the void of 10 graduating seniors will be a challenge, but we are looking forward to seeing the immediate impact that our new players will have on our program."
The Hokies previously welcomed transfers David Alm, David Sanz and Mathjis Swaneveld into the program, with all three enrolling in classes during the spring semester and currently training with the team.
The Hokies will begin their spring season on Saturday, Feb. 24 against Liberty at the Indoor Practice Facility.
INTRODUCING THE HOKIES
ESTEBAN GONZALES RIVERA
Hometown: San Jose, Costa Rica
High School: Yorkin School
Transfer from: Universidad Hispanoamericana
Position: Defender/midfielder
Of note: Rivera has competed with the Costa Rican youth national teams at the U-17 World Cup Chile 2015, Under-20 World Cup Korea 2017 and at the Central American Games Managua 2017. He was a won the silver medal at the Central American Games, while finishing in the round of 16 in Korea and the quarterfinals in Chile.
In his youth career, Rivera played for Deportivo Saprissa and Club Sport Uruguay, winning the national championship three times in 2013, 2015 and 2016.
DAVID SANZ
Hometown: Santander, Spain
High School: IES La Marina High
Transfer from: University of Cincinnati
Position: Midfielder
Of note: Sanz joined the Hokies after spending two seasons at the University of Cincinnati, where he scored six goals and recorded five assists in 2017 and was named to the American Conference’s second team. During his freshman season in 2016, Sanz was selected to the conference’s all-freshman team.
In his native Spain, Sanz competed for Real Racing de Santander.
NIKAL CLARKE
Hometown: Brampton, Ontario
High School: St. Edmund Campion
Club: North Mississauga Soccer Club
Transfer from: Louisburg College
Position: Center back
Of note: Clarke joins the Hokies from Louisburg, a junior college in North Carolina, where he was a first-team All-American. He anchored the Hurricanes’ back line that won 31 games in his two seasons there, advancing in the postseason both years.
MATHJIS SWANEVELD
Hometown: Schoonhoven, The Netherlands
High School: Schoonhovenscollege
Club: CVV de Jodan Boys
Transfer from: Hogeschool Rotterdam University
Of note: Swaneveld is a 6-foot-4 goalkeeper from Schoonhoven, The Netherlands. Swaneveld’s youth club was CVV de Jodan Boys. He spent the last year at Hogeschool Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences.
In his youth career, Swaneveld also trained with SC Excelsiur and Sparta Rotterdam, frequently training with the first team.
CHRIS LITTLE
Hometown: Ashburn, Virginia
High School: Briar Woods High School
Club: Loudon Soccer Club
Position: Midfield
Of note: A top-100 ranked player from Top Drawer Soccer, Little was a first-team all-conference performer with Briar Woods in 2016.
With Loudon Soccer 99 Red, Little has led his club to a No. 1 national ranking and a 2016 USYS National Championship. Loudon was also the Region 1 Champions, and Little has been a part of three Virginia State Cup Championship winning sides.
Little was recognized as a 2017 CCL Male Power Player for his contributions on the field as both a player and a leader.
DAVID ALM
Hometown: Saltsjoe-boo, Sweden
High School: Nacka Gymnasium
Club: Hammarby IF
Position: Defender
Of note: With Hammarby IF, Alm won the International U-21 gold medal and was the MVP of his 2016 U-19 Hammarby team. Alm also won Stockholm District team honors with Djurgardens IF.
SIVERT HAUGLI
Hometown: Oslo, Norway
High School: Norges Toppidrettsgymnas
Club: Baerum SK
Position: Center back
Of note: Haugli trained with the first team at Baerum, making his debut in a friendly at 16 years of age.
He was recognized as the best developed player after the 2016-17 season and became a regular part of the senior team from that time forward. Haugli played in 20 games during the 2017 season for the senior team and was able to score as a defender.
He also was selected as the U-19 team’s “player’s player” in 2017, voted by the team and staff based on performances both on and off the field.
Haugli also played for Snaroeya SK and Stabaek Football during his youth career.
KAHLIL DOVER
Hometown: Reston, Virginia
High School: South Lakes High School
Club: BRYC (Braddock Road Youth Club)
Position: Striker
Of note: Dover earned all-conference honorable mention honors in 2017 and also competed in football and golf for South Lakes.
With Braddock Road Elite 99, Dover won the U-18 USYS national championship, scoring the game’s final goal.
With BRYC 00’s, Dover’s team advanced to the finals of the 2017 Virginia State Cup.
Dover has also competed with the Virginia State ODP team, winning Region 1 in 2015 and competing on an international trip in Spain and France.
CONNOR JORDAN-HYDE
Hometown: Leawood, Kansas
High School: The Pembroke Hill School
Club: Sporting Kansas City Academy
Position: Goalkeeper
Of note: Jordan-Hyde won the 2016 VHSL state championship with Western Albemarle High School in Virginia before moving to Kansas.
He has been involved in both the Virginia and Kansas State ODP programs for each of the past five years.
For the past year, Jordan-Hyde has trained with Jon Parry at Sporting KC.