PHOENIX, ARIZ. – Virginia Tech begins its 2022 campaign on Thursday evening, as the Hokies challenge Grand Canyon in a matchup between two 2021 NCAA Tournament teams.
| MATCH DETAILS | |||||
| Date | Time | Opponent | Network | Live Stats | |
| August 25 | 10 p.m. (EST) | Grand Canyon | ESPN+ | HERE | |
THE SERIES
- This matchup will be the second clash between Virginia Tech and Grand Canyon. The Hokies claimed a 4-0 victory on Sept. 17, 2019, against the Lopes in Blacksburg.
- Nikal Clarke-Smith, Jon Ingason, Jacob Labovitz and Brendan Moyer were on the scoresheet that day for Tech, while Mathijs Swaneveld held a clean sheet in goal.
FILL IN THE GAPS
- Virginia Tech lost players that accounted for 23 of the team's 37 goals. Jacob Labovitz and Sivert Haugli, who both turned pro following successful senior seasons, recorded 12 goals last season.
- The Hokies' second-leading goal scorer last season, Conor Pugh, returns to the lineup after putting up six goals in his first year with Virginia Tech. He will be joined up top by newcomer Ricki Vidal, a forward from Barcelona, Spain.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
- The Hokies were receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll, while they came in at No. 19 in the College Soccer News preseason rankings.
- In the preseason edition of the Top Drawer Soccer Top 100 list, Mayola Kinyua was ranked No. 40, while Danny Flores came in at No. 62. Kinyua also earned a nod on the ACC Preseason Watch List.
SEASON OPENERS
- Virginia Tech is 6-5-3 in season openers since Mike Brizendine took over in 2009. Despite starting out 0-4 in the first four seasons, Tech has gone 6-1-3 in its last 10 opening matches.
CHASING 100
- Head coach Mike Brizendine is one win away from his 100th career win since taking over at Virginia Tech.