BLACKSBURG – All-ACC sophomore performer Kristo Strickler has traveled to Bangkok, Thailand to train and compete for a spot on the Philippines national team roster. The camp held from March 18-26 will help the Philippine Football Federation to determine the pool of players to represent the nation in the next cycle of World Cup qualifying games.Another camp will be held in the summer of 2019 as well.
"He has a great opportunity in front of him," Virginia Tech head coach Mike Brizendine said. "This is well-deserved, and I am thrilled that he will get this experience. Kristo is a model student-athlete and represents everything that Virginia Tech soccer is about. He is hard-working, a great student, a great individual off of the field, and a very good soccer player. This is the beginning of a long and successful playing career for him."
Stricklerstarted all 21 of Tech's games in 2018, and he earned All-Conference honors as a forward duringa fantastic season. The Hilliard, Ohio native led the team with 10 goals, a mark that was fourth in the ACC. His 24 total points ranked in the top five in the conference.
He helped lead Hokies to 11-7-3 record and an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen, the program's second trip in three seasons. Tech earned a national seed for the second time in school history.
Strickler was also named to VaSID's All-State team, and he was recognized as the ACC's Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 22.
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
After a big week, Kristo earns @accmsoccer Offensive Player of the Week honors!
— Virginia Tech Men's Soccer (@HokiesMSoccer) October 22, 2018
📰» https://t.co/svLszRMWNS pic.twitter.com/T7d77Mzo1n
The Hokies are in the midst of their spring season where they are competing in U.S. Soccer's Spring College Program. Tech defeated Virginia in the first game of the spring campaign, and they are preparing for their next game on Saturday, March 23 at Villanova.