POUSEU BLANCO NAMED STATE OF VIRGINIA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR; HUDGENS, RIMSTAD ALSO HONORED

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Radford redshirt freshman goalkeeper Aitor Pouseu Blanco headlined three Highlanders named to the 2014 Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) all-state team announced Monday. Pouseu Blanco earned Rookie of the Year and second-team honors in the state, while Stephen Hudgens earned first-team honors at midfield and Jo Vetle Rimstad earned second-team defender.

"These three players had outstanding seasons and consistently prepared and performed at a high level," Radford head coach Marc Reeves said. "But I think they would be the first to acknowledge our program is built on a team-first attitude and that we had many great group efforts which produced a successful season."

Pouseu Blanco led the Big South in goals against average (0.86), goals allowed (17), and shutouts (7) in helping lead the Highlanders to the regular season title and a 12-win season. He earned first-team All-Big South honors and was named to the league's all-tournament team.

"Aitor had an excellent first college season and we now expect him to work even harder to maximize his true high potential in goal," Reeves said.

Hudgens led the Highlanders in scoring with six goals, three of which were game-winners. He earned second-team all-conference and was named the league's Men's Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He was a first-team Academic All-America selection as well.

"Stephen really stepped up both on and off the field and his leadership and play, like all of our seniors, will be truly missed," Reeves said.

Rimstad was an all-region selection and a first-team All-Big South honoree and earned all-tournament honors as well. He was the back line leader of the Big South's toughest defense allowing 71 shots on goal and 17 goals for the season. The Highlanders posted eight shutouts.

"Jo Vetle played through injury and adversity always performing at a high level," Reeves said. "He was a big piece of our team's low goals against average (0.82), but also is a calm and quality defender on the ball who we expect to continue to improve."

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Players Mentioned

#15 Stephen Hudgens: MF; 5' 11"; Senior

#1 Aitor Pouseu Blanco: GK; 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman

#4 Jo Vetle Rimstad: D; 6' 1"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#15 Stephen Hudgens
: 5' 11"; Senior
: MF

#1 Aitor Pouseu Blanco
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman
: GK

#4 Jo Vetle Rimstad
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: D

Radford University Athletics

Players Mentioned

#15 Stephen Hudgens

#1 Aitor Pouseu Blanco

#4 Jo Vetle Rimstad

Players Mentioned

#15 Stephen Hudgens

#1 Aitor Pouseu Blanco

#4 Jo Vetle Rimstad