Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Christiansburg High School soccer player Luca Pickeral will continue his playing career at Shenandoah University.
He announced his commitment this past week through social media.
Pickeral said he chose Shenandoah because the academic opportunities and soccer program was what he was looking for.
“Also, I really liked the team environment and culture. Coach (Brandon) Kates was also a big part of my decision because I like his attitude toward the game, and I think he is moving the program in the right direction,” Pickeral said.
Shenandoah University is located in Winchester with a current enrollment of 2,122 undergraduate students, and the school’s athletic teams are called the Hornets. The university is a member of the NCAA Division III ranks, primarily competing in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) since the 2012–13 academic year.
In Pickeral’s sophomore year, he had 17 goals and eight assists, garnering first team all-River Ridge District and first team all-region 3D. He followed that up last season with 13 goals and five assists. He was named first team all-district, first team all-region and first team all-state.
This past fall with the Virginia United Soccer Club, he was also named one of the best 11 players in the Virginia U.S. Soccer State Cup.
Pickeral is optimistic for the next level and hopes to continue Shenandoah’s forward momentum.
“I hope to help bring some trophies to the school and soccer program. Earning the region championship at Christiansburg High School was one of the best moments of my life and I hope to recreate that feeling again at Shenandoah,” he said.
This season marked a significant milestone for Shenandoah men’s soccer. The team reached double-digit wins for the first time since 2001, finishing with 10 victories and five ODAC wins for the second straight year.
In 2023, Kates, who is his third year, earned ODAC Coach of the Year after leading his team to its most wins in over 20 years.
Pickeral is currently undecided on a major but is looking at going into the business and finance world.