BLACKSBURG – Most freshman never really know how their first collegiate season is going to go and if or when they're going to play. It was no different for Virginia Tech men's soccer freshman Daniel Pereira.
"My freshman season was great," freshman Daniel Pereira said. "I played more than I thought I would."
Pereira didn't have to wait very long before he got on the pitch. Due to preseason injuries by a few seasoned players he was given the start in the Hokies season opener against Loyola Marymount University (California), playing all 90 minutes in the Tech's 2-1 win.
The Roanoke, Virginia native would become an important piece for Tech from that point on. Pereira would go on to start every game in the midfield, as he tied the team lead in total assists (5), finish third in minutes played (1,692) and tied for third on the team in goals (5).
"Coach (Mike Brizendine) and my teammates gave me confidence at the beginning of the season," Pereira said. "I think that's what helped the most for me to succeed. Heading into the season my goal was to score twice and get 2 assists and it ended up better than that. Scoring five goals as a freshman was a big achievement for me."
Thanks to his impressive play, Pereira was selected to the ACC Freshmen team and picked up United Soccer Coaches third-team All-South region honors.
The attention did not stop for the freshman as he was one of two freshmen invited to the MLS College Showcase.
"Being at the showcase was a really good experience," Pereira said. "A lot of good players and great quality. Being there gave me confidence, because by getting selected to go to the showcase it meant that I was doing good things. It felt really good being there with top players in the country."
It was a great opportunity for Pereira as he was able to compete against some of the best in the country and give him a glimpse of what he needs to work on to make it to the next level.
"I discovered how simple I could play," Pereira said. "Sometimes I would take too many touches and I realized at the showcase there's no need to take so many. I also realized I have to get stronger and quicker if I want to play at the next level."
Though the spring season was cut short Pereira and the Hokies were able to get in two games. In the first game the Hokies battled the defending national champions Georgetown to 2-2 in regulation before falling in the seventh round of penalty kicks. In the second contest Tech drew national runner up Virginia 3-3, wining 4-3 in penalty kicks.
"We lost a lot of seniors and added two teammates, but I think we did good in our matches against Georgetown and Virginia," Pereira said.
Pereira's eyes now look forward as he trains for the 2020 season.
"I run every day," Pereira said. "Ron Dickson, our strength and conditioning coach, has a YouTube channel that provides us with workout videos that we can do from home."