Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Blacksburg High School’s Austin Bissell led his boys’ soccer team to another state title this spring, and Friday, he was named to the United Soccer Coaches High School Boys All-America Team for the 2017-18 school year. He is one of only 20 male players in the nation selected as an All-American by United Soccer Coaches.
Bissell notched 11 goals and 10 assists for 32 points across 21 games played as a senior. Playing all 80 career games for the Bruins’ varsity squad, he finished with 21 goals and 22 assists while setting career highs in both each year.
A First-Team All-Conference and All-Region honoree, Bissell will join the Radford University men’s soccer team this fall.
For their effort, Bissell and his coach, Shelley Blumenthal are the all-county/all-city boys’ player and coach of the year.
Joining Bissell on the 2018 all-county/all-city team are teammates: Salom Daniel and Sam Dickeson. The rest of the squad includes:
Gage Phillips, Auburn
Chase Phillips, Auburn
Cameron Chestnut, Auburn
Michael Hill, Radford
Charlie Lefew, Radford
Zane Rupe, Radford
Reece Showalter, Christiansburg
Anothony Giannecckini, Christiansburg