The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/157974
cess and we need to have some good results at some point." The Wolfpack allowed 2.37 goals per game while scoring 1.21 last year, and opponents had 95 more shots on goal. Santoro has a magic number for what he hopes is a final score. "We are going to be successful by not giving up a lot of goals and scoring one or two to win," Santoro said. "If we get into high scoring games, that might be too tough for us. Winning 1-0 is perfect for me. I love 1-0 wins." The Wolfpack will welcome back 19 players, including nine starters, but some injuries could stall the early-season progression, especially at middle midfield. "Our midfield is very open because of injuries," Santoro said. "We have [senior] Ariela Schreibeis out for a few more weeks, and potentially we lost a player for the season [at UNC Greensboro in an exhibition match Aug. 17] that was a key contributor." Redshirt junior Jennie Krauser joins sophomores Carolina Gentry and Brittany Stanko to pace the forward position. Krauser and Stanko each had five goals last year, while Gentry added two goals and two assists. Freshman forward Jackie Stengel is the best bet among the newcomers to secure significant playing time. "That front four will hopefully contribute a lot of our scoring," said Santoro, who added that junior defender Shelli Spamer could be a factor on offense. Redshirt junior goalie Victoria Hopkins leads the back end. She went 5-11 with a 2.05 goals-against average and .738 save percentage last year. Fifth-year senior Meagan Proper, a team captain, and senior Randi Soldat lead the group of defensive players in front of Hopkins. "Hopkins is coming back from injury and missed the entire spring, but she is back and will probably be in goal," Santoro said. "The back end has run this race before, and that should help a lot." ■ ■ Key Games To Watch • Sept. 12, vs. Notre Dame — NC State welcomes the Fighting Irish for its ACC opener, which will be on ESPN3.com. Notre Dame, which began the season ranked No. 10 in the NSCAA coaches' poll, has won national titles in 1995, 2004 and 2010, and has finished second five times since 1994. • Sept. 22, at Florida State — The Seminoles are ranked No. 3 in the country behind Stanford and No. 1 North Carolina. The match will be on ESPN3.com. • Oct. 10, at North Carolina — The rivalry game against the top-ranked Tar Heels takes place in Chapel Hill this season, and will be on ESPN3.com. UNC went 15‑5‑3 en route to topping Penn State to win the national title. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Victoria Hopkins started 16 games in 2012, posting a 2.05 goalsagainst average and a .738 save percentage. Photo by Karl DeBlaker/nc state media relations Newcomer To Watch Freshman forward Jackie Stengel The 5-7 product of Melbourne (Fla.) Viera High scored 112 goals and recorded 47 assists in three years at her high school. She earned the Florida Class 4A Player of the Year award after scoring 36 goals her senior season. Top Drawer Soccer named her the No. 2 overall player in Florida and the No. 33 forward in the nation. Her sister, Katie, plays for Wake Forest. ■ By The Numbers 9 24 625 Contests on ESPN3.com this season, and three others will be on GoPack.com All-Access. Seasons since NC State finished runner-up nationally to rival UNC in 1988. The Wolfpack fell 4‑1 in the title match. Average fans per match last year at NC State's 10 home games. The Wolfpack has 12 home games this season. Key Players To Watch Fifth-year senior defender Meagan Proper The Wolfpack team captain was the only player to start all 19 games last year. She has six assists for six points in 58 games played in her NCSU career. The Garner, N.C., product has started 41 contests, and made the move to defense last year, which helped spark the Pack's five-game winning streak. Redshirt junior forward Jennie Krauser Krauser overcome an ACL tear suffered in 2011 to come back and lead the Wolfpack in scoring last year.The Irvine, Calif., product had five goals and two assists for 12 points, and had a pair of game-winning goals over Elon and Appalachian State. She has 26 career points in 35 games. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Victoria Hopkins The Fayetteville, Ga., native started 16 of 19 games last year, and went 5-11 overall with a 2.05 goals-against average and .738 saves percentage. Hopkins posted shutouts at Texas and Elon last year, and played the majority of the 5-0 win over The Citadel. September 2013 ■ 71 70-71.Women's Soccer Preview.indd 71 8/23/13 2:47 PM