BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech men's soccer head coach Mike Brizendine is delighted to announce three additions to the squad for the Fall 2021 campaign: Tyler Taber, Pol Monells, and Joel Opoku.
Tyler Taber
Position: Midfielder
High School: University of Nebraska High School
Hometown: Bertrange, Luxembourg
Club: Racing FC Union Luxembourg
Taber brings a wealth of experience playing in Europe, including time with FC Metz (France), 1. FC Nürnberg (Germany), and Racing FC Union Luxembourg. In addition to his club experience, Taber has frequented the Luxembourg national team system, playing with the U9-U19 squads and was called to the United States U16 camp in 2018.
Personal: Born in Tokyo, Japan… Parents are Derrek and Yumiko Taber… Undecided major… Enjoys cycling and playing in FIFA tournaments
POL MONELLS
Position: Attacking Midfielder/Winger
Previous School: SC-Upstate
Hometown: Barcelona, Spain
Club: CE Sabadell
𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙃𝙤𝙢𝙚 🏡
— Virginia Tech Men's Soccer (@HokiesMSoccer) February 24, 2021
𝐏𝐎𝐋 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐒
· 2x First Team All-Conference 🏆
· 18 Goals and 14 Assists in Career ⚽️
· 2x League Winner with @CESabadell 🏅
>> https://t.co/B3xiC9NhN7#Hokies 🦃 | @PolMonells pic.twitter.com/khUus6iYcb
Monells will join the team as a graduate transfer following stints at Barton College (N.C.) and USC Upstate. The attacker was named to the Big South All-Conference first team in 2019, as well as the Conference Carolinas All-Conference first team in 2018 and second team in 2017. In his collegiate career, Monells has started in 46 games, scoring 18 goals and accumulating 14 assists. While in Spain, he appeared for CE Sabadell for three years, including winning the league twice with the club.
Personal: Parents are Marc Monells and Lluisa Muñoz… Has two siblings, Axel and Judith… Plans to major in either Real Estate or Business Intelligence & Analytics… Wants to move into corporate world following soccer career
Joel Opoku
Position: Defender
Previous School: Casper College
Hometown: Brampton, Ontario
Club: Vaughan SC
𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙃𝙤𝙢𝙚 🏡
— Virginia Tech Men's Soccer (@HokiesMSoccer) February 24, 2021
𝐉𝐎𝐄𝐋 𝐎𝐏𝐎𝐊𝐔
· Left-Back 👊
· Formerly Vaughan SC 🇨🇦
· Ontario Cup Winner 🏆
>> https://t.co/B3xiC9NhN7#Hokies 🦃 pic.twitter.com/9UKCXjza1y
Opoku joins the Hokies as a left-back with experience at the semi-professional level with Vaughan Azzurri in Canada. In his time with Vaughan, his side lifted the Ontario Cup in 2019. A four-year letter winner at St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School, Opoku's side was ROPSSAA finalists in 2018.
Personal: Parents are Samuel and Vera Opoku… Supports Manchester City… Career objectives: Win College Cup with Virginia Tech and become a pro