NORFOLK, Va. – Two of the Virginia Tech women's soccer team's top statistical performers last fall, senior midfielder Emily Gray and sophomore forward Tori Powell have been named to the 2021 Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) University Women's Soccer All-State Team, as announced by the organization on Tuesday.
Receiving identical VaSID praises a half-year ago, the Tech tandem has successfully upped the Hokies' count to four consecutive seasons with two or more VaSID All-State honorees. Virginia's all-state teams are voted on and chosen by the state's assembly of sports information directors; the University class is open only to NCAA Division I student-athletes.
Gray – now a four-time VaSID All-State mention – compiled the third most points (32) during a single Tech season across program history, pacing the Hokies in both goals (12) and assists (eight). The crafty midfielder fielded the most attacking minutes for Tech during the team's run to the second round of the NCAA tournament, coupling a hat trick with three additional braces along the way.
Departing the program as its second all-time leading point-earner (78), Gray has merited selection to the All-ACC Second Team, the United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region First Team and the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American Third Team. During the 2022 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Draft presented by Ally, she solidified her Hokies legacy when she was chosen at No. 3 overall by the North Carolina Courage, becoming Tech's highest NWSL Draft pick all-time.
Debuting on the VaSID All-State Second Team as a rookie in June, Powell returned to the Second Team on Tuesday having delivered eight goals and six assists during her second season in Blacksburg. With Powell splitting the wings alongside Nicole Kozlova, the Hokies scored results from seven of their 10 ACC regular season matches, attaining their highest league points total (17) since 2015.
Highlighting her 2021 season, Powell staged Tech's first-ever hat trick against an ACC opponent when she and the Hokies visited Wake Forest in October. She also rose to glory during Tech's NCAA tournament opener against Ohio State, knocking in the eventual match-winning goal midway through the second half at Thompson Field.
ABOUT VaSID
Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) names 44 all-state teams in 23 sports each year as well as an Academic All-State squad and an all-sports champion in both the University and College Divisions. Membership in VaSID is open to all media relations professionals working at a university or conference in the state of Virginia.
