BLACKSBURG – As the sun rose over Thompson Field last Tuesday, a new Virginia Tech men's soccer season commenced.
On the heels of a season that saw the Hokies fall short of their six-year standard of NCAA Tournament play, the squad quite literally hit the ground running this week. After tending to team meetings and creative media obligations on Monday, it was all about getting better on the pitch for a team that looks a bit different from last year's side.
Gallery: (8-8-2023) MSOC: First 2023 Fall Practice
Not only are several of 2022's first-year players a season wiser and stronger, but 13 student-athletes took to the training ground for their first fall practice with the Hokies.
The foundation behind this young core and group of transfers is made up of the likes of captains Welnilton da Silva Jr. and Mayola Kinyua, along with Connor Jordan-Hyde, who headlines a talented goalkeeper room that lost Ben Martino to a professional contract during the winter.
In 2021 – a season that saw Virginia Tech defeat in-state rivals Virginia, knock off No. 1 Marshall and reach a sixth-straight NCAA Tournament – Tech had newcomers like Conor Pugh, Declan Quill and Carter Hensley on the roster. Those names became more commonplace in the Hokies' starting lineup last season and they return in 2023 with an opportunity to mentor the younger group.
Five freshmen – Misei Yoshizawa, Grant Howard, Ethan Ballek, Oskar Haugli and Zayyan Ahmed – saw significant playing time last season and return for their sophomore seasons.
Several freshmen in this year's class look to emulate the success of that group, as a talented group has been brought in with players that can make an impact all over the pitch. In the spring, three newcomers were able to get a head start in training: Marcos Escoe, Ethan Hackenberg and Marco Vesterholm. Some reinforcements also come from an unlikely destination, as Andy Sullins and Isaiah Byrd have joined the Hokies from the University of Virginia.
With many additions on the field, the constant figures of Mike Brizendine and Patrick McSorley will continue to patrol the touchline, as they enter their 15th season on staff. James Lofton and Kyle Kenney assume their roles on staff in their fifth and third seasons with the team, respectively.
After concluding their first week of training on Saturday evening, the Hokies now face their first outsiders in the upcoming week with preseason fixtures against Liberty and Coastal Carolina. Those matches will serve as tune-ups to the regular season, which gets started in Harrisonburg, Va. on August 24th against UCLA. For more information on Tech's schedule, click HERE.