KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After scripting one of the greatest single-season performances across Virginia Tech women's soccer history, senior midfielder Emily Gray has been named to the 2021 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's All-Atlantic Region First Team, as announced during the organization's postseason awards cycle.
Gray's all-region honor marks the third of her career, having progressed naturally from the All-Atlantic Region Third Team in 2019 and from the Second Team following the 2020-21 season. With 12 goals and eight assists to her name during the 2021 campaign, she follows former Tech goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn (2019) as the program's most recent First Team selection.
A top-25 national point-earner this fall, Gray posted the second highest point total (32) among the Atlantic Region's 15-member First Team that housed 14 ACC standouts. Playing within arguably the top conference in women's collegiate soccer, she etched a deserving place among the league's elite attackers, finishing among its top five goal scorers en route to collecting 2021 All-ACC Second Team honors.
Historically, Gray graduates the Virginia Tech women's soccer program as its second all-time leading point-earner (78) behind Murielle Tiernan (2013-16). On similar ground, her 27 career goals stand in a tie for the fourth most all-time at Tech while her 24 career assists rank second in Blacksburg only to Julian Johnson (2006-09).
With aspirations of playing professionally, Gray has her focus turned towards the 2022 NWSL Draft, which will take place on Saturday, Dec. 18 (2 p.m. EST), before the calendar year turns. As a program, the Hokies have produced two NWSL draft picks during the league's nine-year history: Jazmine Reeves (2014, Boston Breakers) and Mandy McGlynn (2020, Sky Blue FC [presently NJ/NY Gotham FC]).
