GREENSBORO, N.C. – Three Virginia Tech men's soccer student-athletes were named to the 2020 All-ACC Academic Team. Senior Kristo Strickler made his second appearance on the team, while senior Jakob Bluemler and sophomore Matt Zambetti earned the honor for the first time in their careers.
Strickler was drafted No. 30 overall in the 2021 MLS Draft by Houston Dynamo FC and recently signed with USL League One side Tormenta FC. The Hilliard, Ohio native recorded four goals and two assists in 14 appearances this season. Once a walk-on, Strickler was a four-year starter for Mike Brizendine's squad and finishes his career ninth all-time in goals (28) and tenth all-time in points (66) in program history.
Bluemler started in 15 of the 16 games he appeared in during the 2020-21 season. The German accumulated two assists playing in the back this season, including one in a vital match against UMass that secured Virginia Tech's fifth-consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Zambetti was called upon to step in between the sticks in the spring and started ten games for the Hokies. The second-year player from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania had several standout performances, most notably recording a career-high nine saves in a 1-0 win at No. 15 North Carolina. Zambetti was also named a 2020-21 ACC Scholar-Athlete for achieving a 4.0 GPA.
Three players being named to the 2020 All-ACC Academic team adds to an already successful year for the men's soccer program in the classroom. Earlier this spring, 21 student-athletes were named to the 2020 Student-Athlete Academic Honor Roll.