BLACKSBURG – With the NCAA Selection Show set for next Monday Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. streamed on ncaa.org, the Virginia Tech men's soccer team prepares for what Head Coach Mike Brizendine hopes will be another late run into the postseason following the success of back-to-back Tournament runs.
The Hokies began the season with limited expectations, picked last in the ACC's Coastakl Divcision in the preseason by the league's head coaches. This coming on the back of a 10-10 season where Tech advanced into the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament led by two first team All-ACC performers Marcelo Acuna and Ben Lundgaard.
Along with those two stalwarts, the squad lost a total of 10 players to graduation, leaving some serious voids to be filled on the pitch. One of those spots was the goalkeeper, as the 2018 roster had no players who had ever appeared in a match.
Sophomore transfer from The Netherlands, Mathijs Swaneveld stepped up and into that position, playing every minute between the posts in 2018 for the Hokies. All the, 6 foot 5 shot stopper did was lead the league in saves and secure four shutouts on the way to a third team All-ACC selection.
THE SHOT STOPPER
— Virginia Tech Men's Soccer (@HokiesMSoccer) November 7, 2018
Mathijs earns third team honors in 2018 after leading the league in saves 💪pic.twitter.com/mzBSTbzQG1
Tech had another player featured in the all-league team, sophomore forward Kristo Strickler who paced the team with 22 points (9 goals, 4 assists). His 22 points rank fifth in the conference and he sits tied for fifth in goals scored.
He was named the ACC's Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 22 following his two goals, including the game winner in a comeback 5-2 victory at No. 16 Notre Dame. He was also the United Soccer Coaches Player of the Week and was included on both the College Soccer News and Top Drawer Soccer teams of the week.
Strickler has three game-winners on his resume this season, including his strike during the Hokies' epic comeback at No. 16 Notre Dame.
THE TALISMAN 🙌@KristoStrickler earns second team All-ACC honors after a season where he scored 9 goals and added 4 assists pic.twitter.com/cGQcG8FeJE
— Virginia Tech Men's Soccer (@HokiesMSoccer) November 7, 2018
A look at some of the Hokies' credentials in 2018
Where the Hokies stand in the rankings
United Coaches Poll - 24
Top Drawer Soccer Poll - 12
College Soccer News Poll - 25
RPI - 9
Strength of Schedule 6
Top 50 RPI Results
-Win over Air Force at a neutral site
-Win over Syracuse (twice)
-Win at No. 16 Notre Dame
-Draw at No. 10 Virginia
-Draw at UCF
The Hokies went 7-1-1 in regular season non-conference play in 2018 and have recorded a 10-win season for the third consecutive year.
In the last three seasons, Tech has amassed a 26-8-5 record in non-conference matchups, including the run to the Elite Eight in 2016.
The team will host a watch party for family and Virginia Tech Athletics staff members during the Selection Show on Monday, Nov. 12.