Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech men’s soccer announced the addition of eight transfers, which make up a portion of 14 newcomers, ahead of its 2024 campaign.
Coppola, a Des Moines, Iowa native, joins Tech following two seasons at Saint Louis. In 2023, he led the Billikens in points with seven goals and an assist, while making 11 starts. The forward was an Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team member in his freshman season, bagging six goals and an assist in 13 starts throughout 2022.
Gardiner, a Richmond, Va. product, comes to Blacksburg following a four-year stint at Davidson, in which he made 58 starts at center-back. A captain in his senior season, Gardiner logged a team-high 1,433 minutes in 2023. With three goals on his career tab, to Commonwealth native was an Atlantic 10 All-Rookie selection in the spring of 2021.
Kireh, who hails from Marseilles, France, can play a defensive midfield and defender role for Virginia Tech. The 6-3 Frenchman played club soccer with Puente Genil in Spain.
Kolby, a Charlotte, N.C. native, spent two seasons at Charlotte before joining the Hokies in the offseason. The versatile midifielder has three goals and five assists to his name in 34 career appearances. His one-goal, five-assist campaign in 2022 led to Kolby receiving American Conference All-Freshman Team honors.
Schroeder, a 6-1 defender from Atlanta, Ga., steps into the maroon and orange following two seasons with Georgia State. In 23 career appearances, including 17 starts, the Atlanta United Academy product has four goals.
Thiaw, a native of Marseilles, France, will assume a role up top for the Hokies this fall. The 6-0 forward attended Cours Sainte Marie de Hann.
Wenzel, a 6-2 goalkeeper from Fresno, Calif., swapped coasts for a fifth year with the Hokies following a stint with CSUN. In 2022, the shot-stopper earned second team All-Big West honors, posting a career best .740 save percentage in 19 games. Throughout his career, Wenzel has 37 starts in 39 appearances.
Yohannes, a midfielder from South Riding, Va., joins Virginia Tech after two years with Kentucky. After missing his freshman season due to injury, Yohannes made 13 appearances and five starts in 2023 for the Wildcats.
*Joined program in January 2024