BLACKSBURG – After two straight appearances in the NCAA Championships in 2016 and 2017, the Virginia Tech men's soccer team is seeking its third consecutive trip to the competition for just the the second time in the program's history.
Tech wrapped up a successful preseason this past weekend, where they won all three exhibition matches against quality sides; West Virginia, Old Dominion and Villanova.
Tech put four goals past the Mountaineers, three past the Monarchs and kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory over the Wildcats.
The preseason has seen the emergence of talented newcomers including Mathias Swaneveld who figures to start in goal for the Hokies. Freshman Kahlil Dover scored twice and set up another goal against WVU and Sivert Haugli has impressed in the middle of the park.
In addition, returners Jon Ingason, Kristo Strickler, Emil Koho and others have looked fit and sharp as the Hokies prepare for the upcoming campaign. Ingason banged in a free kick which turned out to be the game winner in the exhibition versus Villanova.
Almost kickoff time! Our season starts in just two days
— Virginia Tech Men's Soccer (@HokiesMSoccer) August 22, 2018
Hear from Coach Briz about how the preseason went and who has stepped up as we head into 2018#Hokies 🦃⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Cr5O4EHD6X
The Hokies will kick off their season on Friday, August 24 versus Air Force on the campus of James Madison in Harrisonburg, Virginia, as Tech will take part in the Fairfield Inn by Marriott JMU Invitational. Tech and the Falcons last met in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament in 2017 at Thompson Field where the Hokies eliminated the Academy 2-0 behind goals from Collin Verfurth and Marcelo Acuna.
On Sunday, August 26 the Hokies will take on the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs in the second game of the weekend.
In total, the Hokies are set to face eight foes that also competed in the postseason last season including national semifinalists North Carolina.
Tech's first home match of the season versus Wake Forest will take place on Friday, Sept. 14th with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. from Thompson Field.
Other opponents to visit Thompson Field include; Longwood, Syracuse, South Carolina, Pitt, William & Mary and Duke.
All seven home matches in 2018 will be available on ACC Network Extra.