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BLACKBURG – The Virginia Tech men’s soccer team opens its season in the West with two tough tests.
The Hokies will be in Phoenix on Thursday night to host 2021 NCAA Tournament participant Grand Canyon in the season opener. Virginia Tech and Grand Canyon are ranked first and second, respectively, in the National Preseason Coaches Top 25 Poll in the “Votes Receiving” category.
Virginia Tech then heads to Los Angeles for Sunday’s game at No. 23 UCLA.
“This week will tell us a lot,” coach Mike Brizendin said before practice this week.
With a preseason win over No. 2 Georgetown, the team has confidence heading into the early challenges.
“Especially after our win against Georgetown, it’s hitting our frame,” forward Connor Pugh said. “We are ready. We are all excited.
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Virginia Tech returns eight starters from a team that went 11-5-4 overall and 3-4-1 in ACC play last fall. The Hokies made the NCAA for the 6th consecutive year before suffering a second round loss to West Virginia in penalty kicks.
“I definitely think we’ll go further in the competition than last year,” said goalkeeper Ben Martino.
Brizendin said Tech has the ability to return to the NCAAs.
But the Hokies need to replace Jacob Labovitz, who scored a team-high nine goals last year. Labovitz, who made the All-ACC first team as a fifth-year senior, is now playing professionally for Greenville in the United Football League.
“One area that worries me is scoring goals,” Brezendin said. “If we score, we’re going to be a very tough team to play against – a very tough team. The question is, can we improve on this?
Brizendin’s figures will be higher by committee this year.
“A lot of guys have to step up offensively,” Martino said.
The Hokies must replace defensive back Sivert Haugli, who was selected by Portland in the third round of the Major League Soccer draft after starting for Tech the past four seasons. He is currently playing for Portland’s reserve team in the MLS NEXT Pro League.
Midfielder Mayola Kinyua said: “It was very difficult to lose two of our best players.
But despite Hawley’s loss, the Hokies aren’t upset about the defense.
“I … expect to have a lot of shutouts this year,” she said, adding that the team had five shutouts last year.
Tech is switching formations this year, with Brizendin opting to deploy five defenders instead of four.
“Our strong suit is going to be our defense. If we don’t have the power to score goals, we end up winning games like 1-0 or 2-1 in extra time,” Martino said.
Martino had 64 saves as a freshman last year.
“A good freshman … getting a season under my belt was huge for confidence,” Martino said. “I can go out and just do my thing and not have any nerves.
“I want to step into a new leadership role that I couldn’t really do as a freshman.”
England-born defenseman Kyle McDowell, who led the team with eight tackles last year, is also back.
Pugh expects Brizendin to lead the team in scoring this year.
Pugh was second on the Hokies with six goals last year. It was his first year on the team after transferring from Coastal Carolina.
“I’ve seen how competitive the conference is, so I hope to build on that and get more [goals] This year,” he said.
Irish-born Pugh is one of nine international players in this year’s squad.
“It’s good fun having different backgrounds together,” he said.
Pugh splits time with newcomer Ricky Vidal, a graduate student who attended college in his native Spain.
Brizendin considers the midfield to be the team’s strongest suit. Tech hopes to wear down opponents by holding the ball.
“We have a lot of talented midfielders. We’ll handle the ball,” Brezendin said. “Every time we get up, I expect us to have a share of the ball.”
Kinyua, who made the All-ACC third team last year, is among the returning midfielders. He grew up in Kenya before moving to the United States in high school to play for Monteverde Academy in Florida.
He had one assist last year before missing the final five games with a torn quadriceps muscle.
“I’m not really a statistics type of player,” he said.
Midfielder Danny Flores, who made ACC’s all-new team last year, is also back. He had one goal and three assists last season.
The memorial team included defenseman Grant Howard and Hawley’s brother Oscar.
The Hokies were picked fifth in the six-team Coastal Division in the ACC preseason coaches poll. The four Coastal teams selected ahead of Tech are all nationally ranked — Pittsburgh, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Duke.
Tech’s tight ACC schedule includes a Sept. 16 home game against No. 15 Wake Forest. Oct. 7 visit to No. 24 UNC; Oct. 14 home game against No. 7 Pitt; Oct. 21 game at 4 Nore Dame; and an Oct. 28 home game against No. 12 Duke.
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