Sivert Haugli became the tenth Virginia Tech men’s soccer player drafted on Tuesday, as he was selected with the 27th pick in the third round (No. 83 overall) by the Portland Timbers.
Haugli, a four-year starter for the Hokies, recorded three goals and an assist in his senior campaign last fall. The captain and anchor of Tech’s back line, Haugli’s two goals against No.-1 Marshall spurred the Hokies to their 3-2 comeback win in August. At the midway point of the 2021 season, the Norwegian was named the No.-39 best player in the country by Top Drawer Soccer.
“It’s surreal to get selected in the MLS Draft,” said Haugli. “I want to thank everyone at VT who contributed to making the goal of getting drafted possible. I couldn’t have done it without all my teammates, friends, coaches, staff, and anyone who supported us in the stands or from afar. You all have meant the world to me, and I thank each and every one of you for opening up this exciting new chapter of my career and life that I can’t wait to get started on.”
Since his arrival in Blacksburg from Oslo, Norway, in 2018, Haugli has been a staple in Virginia Tech’s lineup in a defensive role. He made 71 appearances for Virginia Tech, all of them as a starter.
Haugli is part of the third class in Virginia Tech men’s soccer history that can say it went to the NCAA Tournament each of its four years at Tech. The Hokies went 4-2-2 in the tournament while Haugli was part of the squad, earning a national seed twice and making three Sweet Sixteen appearances.
In Haugli’s senior campaign, Tech earned two ranked wins, downing No.-1 Marshall and No. 23- Louisville with its season coming to an end after a 1-1 draw against No.-21 West Virginia. In previous seasons, the Hokies earned wins over No.-15 Oregon State and No.-16 New Hampshire in the NCAA Tournament.
Along with success on the national level, Tech’s reputation in the state landscape changed while Haugli was in Blacksburg. The Hokies went 2-2-2 in the past four seasons against in-state foe Virginia and VT was the only Division I school from the commonwealth to make the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
In the summer of 2021, Haugli was a member of USL League Two side Des Moines Menace, which won the 2021 USL League Two national championship.
Haugli graduated from Virginia Tech in December of 2021 with a degree in management.
With his selection, Haugli became the tenth player drafted into the MLS from Virginia Tech and the fourth in three seasons.