Hokies seventh in initial men’s soccer RPI rankingsHokies seventh in initial men’s soccer RPI rankings
Men's Soccer

Hokies seventh in initial men’s soccer RPI rankings

BLACKSBURG – Just past the midway point of the season, the Virginia Tech men's soccer team owns a 5-2-2 record. The Hokies have been led by sophomore forward Kristo Strickler, whose five goals are the second highest tally of any player in the ACC. Tech's captain Jon Ingason, a center back has chipped in with three goals of his own, all on set pieces and the team has been anchored by goalkeeper Mathijs Swaneveld. 
 
Swaneveld, a player who transferred into the program in the spring, leads the conference in saves with 45 saves and has also tallied two shutouts on the season to this point. 
 
The Hokies are ranked thirteenth in the latest Top Drawer Soccer Poll Monday.
 


 
Despite the 0-2-1 start in the ACC, college soccer's toughest conference by a wide margin, the Hokies still have substantial postseason aspirations, due in part to their strength of schedule and RPI, which the NCAA released the first iteration on Monday, with Tech checking in at No. 7. 
 


 
Tech has had to contend with the loss of 10 student-athletes to graduation from the 2017 team that advanced to the NCAA's Second Round. Included in that group were two first team All-ACC performers, goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard and forward Marcelo Acuna. Lundgaard was the 23rdpick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew, at least the third former Virginia Tech goalkeeper to play in the professional ranks, following Chase Harrison and Kyle Renfro.
 
Renfro has made his way back to Blacksburg and joined the Coach Brizendine on the coaching staff as a volunteer assistant for the 2018 season.  
 
The Hokies have their sights set on a third consecutive trip to the NCAA Championships for just the second time in program history. The next step towards that goal is Friday night's clash versus the Syracuse Orange at Thompson Field. 
 
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and can be seen on ACC Network Extra.