BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech's Kristo Strickler and James Kasak have each been included in VaSID's All-State teams, the organization announced Tuesday. For each athlete, it is their first career selection.
Another accolade for our guy @KristoStrickler🙌
— Virginia Tech Men's Soccer (@HokiesMSoccer) December 18, 2018
He was named to VaSID's 1st team this afternoon pic.twitter.com/GIhWxS6Rox
Strickler who was a second team All-ACC selection his sophomore season, led the Hokies with 10 goals and tallied an impressive 24 points.
He was named the ACC's Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 22 after he scored eight points in two big wins for the Hokies. In midweek action against Longwood, the Hilliard, Ohio native led Tech to a 4-0 rout by scoring a goal and adding an assist. Then he fueled Tech's comeback at No. 16 Notre Dame. Tech trailed by two goals at halftime, but rallied for a 5-2 victory, thanks in large part to Strickler who scored twice, including the game winner and also provided an assist.
RT to congratulate @james_kasak for his first inclusion on the VaSID All-State team 👏👏#Hokies🦃⚽️ pic.twitter.com/yz3QSyyuzR
— Virginia Tech Men's Soccer (@HokiesMSoccer) December 18, 2018
Kasak, a junior, providedseven assists, a tally that ranked tied for fourth in the league. He also added a goal against Longwood, for nine points on the season.
He started the season assisting the game winner in the season opener against Air Force and followed that up with two assists as the Hokies beat Gardner-Webb in overtime.
After a second NCAA Sweet Sixteen trip in the last three seasons, the Virginia Tech men's soccer team concluded the fall semester with the conclusion of exams this past week.
Led by Head Coach Mike Brizendine in his 10th season at the helm, the Hokies went 11-7-3 against a schedule that was the 10th toughest in the nation. For a full season recap, click HERE.
sThe entire VaSid All-State teams are below:
VaSID State Player of Year –Antonio Bustamante, William & Mary
VaSID State Rookie of the Year – Amadou Diop, Radford
VaSID Coach of the Year – Paul Zazenski, James Madison
VaSID First-Team All-State
Ryder Bell, William & Mary $
Tresor Mbuyu, Liberty %
Kristo Strickler, Virginia Tech
Antonio Bustamante, William & Mary%
Manuel Ferriol, James Madison^
Siad Haji, VCU
Kevin Mendoza, Liberty%
Marcel Berry, William & Mary$
Henry Kesseler, Virginia
Thomas Shores, James Madison
TJ Bush, James Madison
VaSID Second-Team All-State
Amadou Diop, Radford
Kieran Roberts, Radford^
Max Wilschrey, Old Dominion
Joe Bell, Virginia
Yannick Franz, James Madison
Nik Klosterhalfen, Old Dominion
James Kasak, Virginia Tech
Aboubacar Keita, Virginia
Ryo Shimazaki, VCU
Myles Yorke, Radford
Colin Shutler, Virginia
^ - Two-Time VaSID Selection
% - Three-Time VaSID Selection
$ - Four-Time VaSID Selection