BLACKSBURG, Va. - Junior forward Patrick Nyarko has been honored as a 2007 College Soccer News First Team Preseason All-American. This is the second year in a row Nyarko has been included on one of the publication's teams, after receiving second-team honors before last season.

As a sophomore, Nyarko was selected to the NSCAA/adidas All-South Atlantic Second Team and is a two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference First-Team member. Nyarko was one of three juniors receiving first-team recognition. Four players represented the ACC on the first team, while three others were selected to the second and third squads.

Nyarko stands 10^th on the school's all-time career goals list with 24 scores and has 14 career assists, which is just two away from tying for ninth. The Kumasi, Ghana native established a new school record and led the ACC with 16 goals in 2006, while finishing second in the conference with 2.00 points and 0.80 goals per game.

Preseason practice begins at 12 a.m. on Monday morning. The Hokies' first contest of the season is an exhibition match against High Point at 7 p.m. on Aug. 25 in Tech Soccer Stadium. The regular season kicks off at the VCU Nike/Alltel Classic against Virginia Commonwealth at 8 p.m. on Aug. 31 in Richmond, Va.