Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Hokies women's soccer continues to rack up postseason accolades as five players have earned Virginia Sports Information Directors (VASID) recognition. Additionally, Allie George earned Defensive Player of the Year honors along with head coach Chugger Adair, who was named Coach of the Year.
VaSID Awards
Coach of the Year
Chugger Adair
Defensive Player of the Year
Allie George
First Team
Allie George (Defender)
Lauren Hargrove (Goalkeeper)
Natalie Mitchell (Midfielder)
Emma Pelkowski (Midfielder)
Second Team
Taylor Price (Forward)
Head coach Chugger Adair completed his 19th season in Blacksburg and his 14th season as the women’s soccer head coach with a VASID Coach of the Year award. He led the Hokies (14-6-3, 6-2-2 ACC) to an NCAA Elite Eight appearance, marking the second time the Hokies have advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals. The Hokies had one of the best defenses in the ACC with a goals allowed average of 0.74 that ranked second among ACC schools. Additionally, the Hokies recorded 11 total shutouts this season.
George, the Defensive Player of the Year recipient, tallied an impressive 1,826 minutes this season. She was part of a strong backline that recorded 11 shutouts on the year, the most in a single season since 2014. In addition to her notable skills as a defender, she scored four goals along with two assists. She scored three game-winning goals, one of which secured a Hokie victory against No. 17 Iowa in the NCAA Sweet 16 that sent the Hokies to the Elite Eight.
Hargrove, a two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Week selection, finished the season with the fourth-best single-season GAA in program history (0.78). She started all 23 matches in Tech’s run to the Elite Eight last season. The Richmond, Va., native posted 13 wins, the most wins by a Virginia Tech goalkeeper in a single season since 2015. Hargrove finished the season recording 64 saves with a .790 save percentage.
Mitchell led the team with 16 points off five goals and six assists. In a wonderful display of offensive skill, she scored back-to-back game-winning goals in the NCAA First and Second Rounds against Tennessee and No. 2-seeded UCLA. Mitchell logged 1,732 minutes during the season and led the team with 67 shots.
Pelkowski started all 23 matches for the Hokies and played the entirety of 19 games. She logged a notable 2,011 minutes played, coming in second on the team. Pelkowski also played her 6,000th career minute in Tech’s NCAA Elite Eight match against No. 1 Duke. She finished the year with three assists and 15 shots, including an assist on Mitchell’s game-winning goal against No. 9 UCLA.
Price led the Hokies with six goals and finished second on the team with 14 points. She recorded four game-winning goals, including one over No. 6 Florida State. Price has appeared in 20 matches with seven starts. Among all her impressive accomplishments, she recorded the 12th Hokie hat trick in program history with three goals in Tech’s 5-1 win over Louisville.