Skip to main content

Take Two: Virginia Tech Men's Soccer Path to CCS Success

BLACKSBURG, VA--The Virginia Tech Men's Soccer team experienced a rollercoaster of a season last fall, marked by dominance in league play and a Hokie Classic win, but heartbreak in tournaments. The VTMCS achieved an end-of-season record of 12 wins, 3 ties, and 2 losses. 

Two penalty shootouts were the difference in success for the VTMCS at Regionals and Nationals. Despite being unbeaten in regular time in NIRSA play, VTMCS has set a standard that will last for years.

With the bitter taste of defeat still fresh, the team is channeling their frustrations into preparation for the upcoming spring season.

“Super heartbreaking, because we all knew we could accomplish way more than what we did. No matter who we played, we always gave every team their hardest game of the season," said Drew Savage, a four year member of VTMCS. 

"Last fall was one of the best teams I've ever played on. The grit, talent, and desire was the greatest I've ever seen. The culture we've created will have an everlasting effect on the school, community, and the team," Colton Rudnick stated. 

"When you don't match your previous season result, it's tough to accept," former Club President Duke Durand stated. After being National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Finalists in 2023, the expectations for VTMCS are at an all time high. 

Heading into the spring, the Collegiate Club Soccer League (CCS) comes at a perfect time for VTMCS. “It’s an opportunity to prove ourselves, get revenge and be known as one of the top teams in the country," Savage stated. 

For many years, the spring comes as a time of relaxation and rest for the club athletes with their main competitive season in the fall with NIRSA. However, now in it's second year, the CCS brings year-round club soccer to teams across the country, an opportunity that NIRSA has yet to fully explore.

“CCS in one season has transcended more than NIRSA in the media and personalization. The league is selling an experience that people buy,” Durand expressed. 

With weekly power rankings, weekly anticipated matchups, up-to-date score lines, and end-of-season awards, the CCS does a wonderful job creating content appealing to the eyes of many. 

From 50 men's clubs and 17 women's clubs in 2024 to 79 total in 2025, the CCS brand continues to grow and establish itself as a club soccer powerhouse.

“Virginia Tech was a huge catalyst in spurring other schools on the East Coast to play club soccer year-round. More and more people want to get involved. Seeing that growth is awesome and undeniable," Durand added. 

"The level will rise significantly compared to spring ball in year's past. It's exciting to be around when it's starting and continually evolving," said Rudnick. 

In 2024, VTMCS made the inaugural CCS finals and placed second after an intense path to the CCS Final. "We're always going to have a target on our back. We've established ourselves as a team nobody wants to play," Rudnick states. 

Last season, VTMCS was number one in every CCS weekly ranking and were the trailblazers of the league. As for this season, coming in at third in the CCS Preseason Rankings, a reflection of tougher competition, VTMCS faces a unique challenge and has a point to prove for the CCS title. 

"Expectations are high, they always are. We set this standard for ourselves. It's time to back up all the talk," Savage declared.

Club soccer is a unique outlet for collegiate student-athletes who want the competition level despite not being Division I. Club sports allow students to build friendships through the sports they love and for some, a path to further opportunities through their alumni network. 

For this trio, Durand, Rudnick, and Savage have built their friendship from the ground up and the results show on the field as well. After spending more than three years on the team, this trio shows their class and leadership and set an example for the younger generation at every practice, game, and team event. 

"I love this team, and I love this game, these guys on the team are my best friends," Durand expressed. 

This spring, for many of the seniors, provides one last opportunity for club soccer success, a chance to cement their legacy, showcase their skills for the East Coast to see, and end their collegiate careers on a high note surrounded by teammates and their closest friends. 

VTMCS's first step to achieving CCS success is league play. In the Southeast Conference Virginia A Division, VTMCS face the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University and Radford University twice each before the CCS Finals April 11-13th. 

Riley Fox, Virginia Tech School of Communication

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Riley Fox Story- The Definition of Resilience

BLACKSBURG, VA -- I've wanted to produce this video for quite some time. My journey as an athlete and person throughout my life has had many highs and lows. I've played soccer for over 18 years and it has made me the person I am today. However, for the past 4 years, I've had to battle multiple ACL tears to my right knee that's kept me from playing soccer since my senior year of high school. This project is a culmination of all the hard work, dedication, determination, and grit I've shown to make it back to competing at the collegiate level. There are photos & videos past and present that make up this heartfelt story of my comeback. I hope you enjoy! Riley Fox, Virginia Tech School of Communication
Post a Comment
Read more

NIL and the Transfer Portal-- The Filipe Costa Story

Source: Filipe Costa & Georgia Athletics BLACKSBURG, VA and ATHENS, GA -- For Filipe Costa, a senior Division I tennis player at the University of Georgia, the journey through collegiate tennis has been anything but ordinary. Costa has navigated the evolving landscape of college athletics, shaped by the transfer portal and the growing influence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. His story highlights both the opportunities and challenges these changes present to student-athletes today.  Costa, initially committed to Arizona State University, was drawn by the opportunity to play under a familiar coach he has known since he was a kid. However, once he arrived on campus, he quickly realized that the team's culture and dynamic did not align with his interests.  "The (ASU) team culture and dynamic is the most important part of the team and it wasn't suited to me," Costa expressed. "Culture eats strategy for breakfast...if the culture isn't there, then yo...
Post a Comment
Read more

From Freshman to Leader: Lauren Peyton Gears Up for the 7v7 Tournament (BR2)

BLACKSBURG, VA -- For senior forward Lauren Peyton, her journey as one of the longest-tenured Virginia Tech Women's Club Soccer players has been deeply impactful, shaping her both on and off the field. Since joining the team as a freshman, Peyton has grown alongside her teammates, earned numerous accolades, and set a high standard for younger players through her dedication, work ethic, and competitive spirit.  "These past four years on this team have given me some of my greatest memories...I'm excited to compete but sad to see this chapter close," Peyton shared.  As the Hokies prepare for their 7v7 Tournament at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Peyton offered insight into what to expect from her team this weekend. "With two teams in the tournament, more of our practice players and those who didn’t see much time on the field last season will get opportunities to compete," she said. When asked about potential rivalries in the tournament, P...
Post a Comment
Read more