GREENSBORO, N.C. – Five members of the Virginia Tech men's soccer team have been named to the 2021 All-ACC Academic Team, as announced by the league on Thursday. Sivert Haugli, Cameron Joice, Ben Martino, Kyle McDowell and Conor Pugh each earned the honor for the first time this year.
Haugli, who graduated with a degree in Management in December, was selected with the 27th pick in the third round of MLS SuperDraft by the Portland Timbers earlier this month. The Oslo, Norway native scored three goals and recorded an assist this season from the back line. In perhaps the most notable performance of his career, Haugli recorded two goals in Tech's 3-2 comeback victory against No. 1 Marshall in August.
Joice, a Human Development major, spent most of the season playing right-back, where he recorded four assists throughout the season. A native of Newcastle, Australia, the defender appeared in all 20 games, starting in 19 and played the third most minutes (1,773) of any player.
Martino, who studies Human Nutrition, Fitness and Exercise, had a stellar rookie season in net. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native started 18 games for the Hokies and recorded five clean sheets. A member of Top Drawer Soccer's All-Freshman team and ranked the No. 20 best freshman by the outlet, Martino was a first team VaSID selection. In his first career appearance, Martino made several impressive saves down the stretch in a 3-2 win against No. 1 Marshall.
McDowell, a Real Estate major, scored two goals in the postseason and tied for second in the ACC in assists with eight. A staple in Tech's backline, the West Sussex, England native started 19 games this season and accounted for the second most minutes of any player on the team with 1,797.
Pugh, a transfer from Coastal Carolina studying Public Health, scored six goals and recorded two assists in his first season with the Hokies. His goal-scoring tallying was second best on the team. Another steady piece in the Tech lineup, the Dublin, Ireland native appeared in 20 games for the Hokies and started 18.
Five All-ACC Academic Team selections is the most since 2009 (5) and tied for the second-most selections in program history. In 2007, Virginia Tech had seven players honored.
