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TO
FOLLOW
THE
HOKIES
The Tech men’s soccer team mixes promising young talent
and experienced returners in hopes of dominating a challenging
schedule in 2016.
With practice having started, the Hokies have many reasons to
be excited about the 2016 season. Head coach Mike Brizendine has
brought in a lot of young, skilled athletes—a group that he hopes
propels his squad to the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in
November.
“I have no doubt that we have the talent to be competitive against
our non-conference and ACC foes,” Brizendine said. “With this
group of guys, I am particularly excited for the team chemistry. The
togetherness they show has been far better than previous years.”
The team will need that talent and chemistry because it faces
one of the hardest schedules in the nation. Tech will meet 10 teams
that appeared in the 2015 NCAA postseason, including Oakland,
Charlotte, South Florida, Virginia, Ohio State, North Carolina,
Georgetown, Notre Dame, Syracuse, and Clemson. Six of those
teams finished in the top 15 of the Ratings Percentage Index, ametric
used to determine the strength of a team and also used by the NCAA
selection committee to pick teams for postseason competition.
“We are playing one of the best schedules in the nation,”
Brizendine said. “With such a competitive schedule, our players will
be required to dedicate themselves far greater than they have in the
past. I want our players to give it their all, not only on the field, but
also in every aspect of their life.”
The Hokies are no stranger to upsets, having beaten No. 10
Xavier and tying No. 19 Louisville and No. 7 Notre Dame last season.
So with the returning talent and 11 impressive additions, the team
could be positioned to make a name for itself in the ACC this season.
When asked about this year’s roster, Brizendine could not speak
highly enough of his players, including his “11 Reasons to Follow
the Hokies.”
36
Inside Hokie Sports
by
Erica Avallone
• Special to Inside Hokie Sports
#
16 So.
Midfielder
#
11 So.
Forward
Born and raised on the
beaches of Costa Rica
#
1 Jr.
Goalkeeper
Has broken his back twice
#
17 r-So.
Midfielder
Sister played soccer
for Tennessee
#
2 r-Fr.
Defender
Only child
#
4 r-Sr.
Defender
Knows all of the songs
to the movie “Frozen”
#
26 Sr.
Midfielder
Favorite music artist
is Taylor Swift