HAMPTON, Va. – Virginia Tech captured six honors from the 2020 Virginia Sports Information Directors All-State University Division Men's Soccer teams: Daniel Pereira (Player of the Year, first team), Mike Brizendine (Coach of the Year), Kristo Strickler (first team), Jacob Labovitz (first team), and Kyle McDowell (second team).
Pereira, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 MLS Draft and ACC Midfielder of the Year, became the first Virginia Tech player since Patrick Nyarko in 2007 to earn VaSID Player of the Year honors. The Roanoke, Virginia native established himself as one of the best players in college soccer in the fall with his dominant performance on the pitch, which eventually led to Pereira becoming the first No. 1 pick in program history. In 2019, the midfielder earned VaSID second team honors.
Coach Brizendine was named Coach of the Year for the second time (2016) in his career. Brizendine navigated the Hokies to a program record fifth-consecutive NCAA Tournament. The Hokies advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the fourth time in five years after defeating No. 15 Oregon State in the second round of the tournament. In the fall, the team tied a Virginia Tech men's soccer record for its highest ranking when it reached No. 4 in the United Soccer Coaches poll.
Strickler, the No. 30 pick in the MLS Draft, was named all-state for the third time in his career. A four-year starter for the Hokies, Strickler recorded four goals and two assists in 14 appearances. Labovitz, an All-ACC third team selection, led the team in goals with nine, including four game-winning scores. McDowell, a fullback from West Sussex, England, was tied for fifth in the ACC with five assists.
VaSID names 44 all-state teams in 23 sports each year, as well as an Academic All-State squad and an all-sports champion in both the University and College Divisions. Membership in VaSID is open to all media relations professionals working at a university or conference in the state of Virginia.