NORFOLK, Va. – Josh Thacker of the Old Dominion men's soccer team was named to the VaSID All-State First Team, while teammate Ettore Casadei garnered second team honors.
Thacker was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Year, as well as was named to the All C-USA Second Team and All-Freshman Team. Thacker, a true freshman defender, led Old Dominion in game-winners, highlighted by a goal at William & Mary to lift the Monarchs to a 1-0 win. He was second on the team for goals, ranked third on the squad for points, as well as shots on goal. The Hull, England native was fourth on the team for total shots and anchored a defense that allowed one goal or less in five of eight games this year.
Casadei, also a true freshman, joined Thacker on the Conference USA All-Freshman Team. He led Old Dominion in goals, shots and shots on goal, while he finished second on the squad for points. Casadei ranked seventh in Conference USA for goals per game. The Ravenna, Italy native scored a goal in the 1-1 draw at UAB, as well as the 1-1 tie against South Carolina.
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.
All-State Awards
Player of the Year: Daniel Perriera (Virginia Tech)
Coach of the Year: Mike Brizendine (Virginia Tech)
Defensive Player of the Year: TJ Bush (James Madison)
Rookie of the Year: Axel Ahlander (James Madison)
All-State First Team
Forward
Jacob Labovitz (Virginia Tech)
Alexander Levengood (William & Mary)
Musa Morris (Liberty)
Kristo Strickler (Virginia Tech)
Midfield
Seth Clark (Liberty)
Marko Mitrevski (Liberty)
Daniel Pereira (Virginia Tech)
Defense
Melker Anshelm (James Madison)
Josh Thacker (Old Dominion)
Andreas Ueland (Virginia)
Goalie
TJ Bush (James Madison)
All-State Second Team
Forward
Ettore Casadei (Old Dominion)
Luca Erhardt (James Madison)
Kent Harrison (George Mason)
Midfield
Axel Ahlander (James Madison)
Alfredo Bozalongo (William & Mary)
Bret Halsey (Virginia)
Celio Pompeu (VCU)
Defense
Ulrik Edvardsen (VCU)
Tom Judge (James Madison)
Kyle McDowell (Virginia Tech)
Goalie
Danny Cordero (Liberty University)
Thacker and Casadei Named to All-State Team
