The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1043000
26 ■ THE WOLFPACKER TRACKING THE PACK wolfpacker spotlight DAVID LOERA Sophomore • Soccer The ACC Network announcers on the broadcast of NC State's home match against archrival North Carolina called Wolfpack sophomore David Loera "the little magician in the midfield." Typically he's using his playmaking abilities to help out others. Through Oct. 22, Loera (5-5, 143 pounds) was leading NC State with six assists. Yet it was his ability to create for himself that made arguably the biggest highlight of the season for the men's soccer squad. Loera's solo run against the heart of the previously undefeated and top-ranked North Carolina Oct. 12 in Raleigh accounted for the lone goal in a 1-0 Wolfpack win, stunning the Heels with their first loss at NC State since 1997, much to the delight of a sold-out crowd of 3,299 fans at Dail Soccer Stadium. Loera's post-goal celebration captured the moment well, and his heroics were noted by TopDrawerSoccer.com when it named him the National Player of the Week for Oct. 8-14. He had also scored a goal in a 2-0 win over Longwood earlier in that week. — Matt Carter/Photo by Chris Baird