The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1153250
80 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY MATT CARTER T hree years ago, a talented collec- tion of freshman women's soc- cer players at NC State had their first big road test when they trav- eled to Columbia, S.C., to face a strong South Carolina squad that was re- ceiving votes in the coaches' poll. In front of nearly 4,000 Gamecock fans, the Pack faced a welcome-to-college-soccer mo- ment and lost 3-0. Less than three months later, that same team upset No. 8 Minnesota and No. 19 Pep- perdine to reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1995 in its first trip to the postseason since 1996. Now the group of prominent seniors that includes midfielders Tziarra King, Ricci Walkling and Paige Griffiths, forward Max- ine Blackwood, and defenders Krissi Schus- ter and Kia Rankin (converted to the position in the spring after playing forward previ- ously) has grown up. Last year they went back to the Sweet 16 and have a chance to lead NC State to a fourth straight NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1989-92. "It's going to be tough to watch them go," NC State seventh-year head coach Tim Santoro admitted. "It went by fast. As much as we've talked about how good they were going to be, it probably exceeded everyone's expectations. "All of the players, when they have been healthy they have been starting, 90-min- ute players. … You hate to see it end, but they've done everything and more." Headlining that group are King and Walkling, whom Santoro said go down as two of the best he has ever coached at any level. "Had a couple of great ones that are playing pro now that have been in and out of the national team, but Ricci and Z are up there," Santoro said. "They both do things that are uncoachable. They had it when they got here, they have it while they are here and they're going to have it many years after. "When you recruit, you're not looking to replace them because you're not going to." King is a three-time All-ACC selection who has led the Pack in goals scored each of the past three years. The New Jersey na- tive's 35 career goals rank sixth in school history, and if she produces similarly to her first three years in 2019 she should finish third on that all-time list. Walkling, a native of Germany who had a team-high seven assists last year, has started every match in her career but two, SWAN SONG A Senior Class That Transformed The Wolfpack Gathers For One Last Season Senior midfielder Tziarra King is aiming to become NC State's first four-time All-ACC selection since Thori Staples (1992-95). PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS WOMEN'S SOCCER PREVIEW