Hokies to host ETSU for the First Round of the NCAA Tournament

Tech looks to capitalize on their fifth NCAA Tournament berth

November 14, 2016

BLACKSBURG- The Virginia Tech men’s soccer team (10-4-4) will host ETSU for the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 on Thompson Field. The winner of the matchup will go on to play the 10th-seeded Charlotte on Nov. 20.

After receiving an at-large bid from the NCAA Committee on Monday, this marks Tech’s fifth run at the NCAA Tournament. The last time the Hokies were in the NCAA Tournament was back in 2007 when the team went all the way to the College Cup.

This season the Hokies went 10-4-4 and 3-4-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Tech went on to be unbeaten in non-conference play, 7-0-2, and tallied eight shutouts, tying a program high. Virginia Tech played eight games against Top 25 teams, fifth highest in the country. The Hokies were ranked in the NSCAA Coaches’ Poll for nine straight weeks, climbing as high as No. 15. An impressive 14 players have tallied at least one goal this season with junior Marcelo Acuna leading the way with nine.

The ACC received nine bids to the Tournament, marking the most in the conference’s history.

Head Coach Mike Brizendine enjoys his first NCAA Tournament berth as the head coach of these Virginia Tech Hokies.

Scouting the Buccaneers

The ETSU men’s soccer team will make their second trip to Blacksburg this year after traveling here in August for an exhibition match. The Hokies were able to win it 3-1.

Since then, the Buccaneers have had a strong season leading up to receiving an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. ETSU (12-4-3, 7-1-2) tallied impressive wins including defeating then No. 1 North Carolina on the road.

This season the Buccaneers were able to take four ranked teams in overtime, have gone unbeaten in their last nine games and advanced all the way to their conference finals. ETSU sits at No. 23 in this week’s NCAA RPI.

Tickets will be available for purchase at the gate. Adults will be $10 and students $5 with your student ID.

For updates on Virginia Tech men's soccer, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_MSoccer