Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. – With one spot remaining in the ACC Tournament, the Virginia Tech men’s soccer team finds itself in a battle with three other teams to claim the final spot when they take on No. 5 Maryland in its final ACC contest of the season.
With a win against Maryland, the Hokies still have a chance to make the tournament pending other ACC results go their way.
Leading the Hokies is senior Robert Alberti with 14 points on the strength of six goals and two assists. Junior Kai Marshall has recorded seven points on the strength of three goals and one assist.
Senior goalkeeper Kyle Renfro is having yet another phenomenal season in net for Tech. Renfro sits in third place in the Virginia Tech record books in career shutouts with 14. He currently ranks fifth all-time in career saves with 296 and is only two stops away from claiming the fourth spot. If Renfro is able to pull off an impressive nine saves on Friday, he will move into a tie for third in career saves.
Maryland comes into the game tied for first place in the ACC standings. The Terrapins are led by one of the nation’s top players in senior Patrick Mullins. Last season, Mullins was the 2012 MAC Hermann Trophy winner and the senior is nominated for the award again this season. Mullins leads Maryland with 31 points on the strength of 13 goals and five assists. Schillo Tshuma and Jake Pace have recorded 11 points (five goals, one assist) each this season.
Freshman goalkeeper Zack Steffen comes into the match with a 1.38 goals against average, 52 saves and a .675 save percentage
Friday’s match will also double as senior night. Seniors Robert Alberti, David Clemens, Devante Dubose, Kyle Renfro, Nick Smirniotopoulos and Austin Stewart will all play their final match at Thompson Field on Friday night. Game time is set for 7 p.m. Live stats will be available. Live video will be provided through ESPN3.