The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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18 ■ THE WOLFPACKER TRACKING THE PACK NC State junior goalie Alex McCauley has taken over the reins this season, and had posted a record of 6-5-4 with a 1.06 goals- against average and .798 save percentage through the first 15 games. The 6-0, 180-pound McCauley ranked second in the ACC in saves (67), fourth in saves per game (4.47), fifth in save percent- age and seventh in goals-against average through Oct. 27. The former Marietta (Ga.) Walton High standout made one start in 2013 and didn't play his freshman cam- paign. McCauley was named the ACC Player of the Week after recording 12 saves in the Wolfpack's 2-1 victory against then- No. 5-ranked Louisville Oct. 3. The saves were the most by an ACC goalie since November 2011, and included a big stop when Louisville had a penalty kick in the 62nd minute. McCauley recently took some time with The Wolfpacker to talk about his junior sea- son and academic goals. What was it like to defeat then No. 5-ranked Louisville 2-1 on Oct. 3? "We knew coming in that it would be one of our tough- est games. They had been doing really well before they came to play us. If we worked hard and defended well, we were going to get a result. "I'm just happy that our team worked hard, and in the end, we would like to play a little bit better, but it's about getting the results. I was pleased we stuck together and kept working hard until the end of the game. "It was a good win and a bit of a turning point in our season. It allowed us to believe we could take down top teams like that." Was that the biggest win for you at NC State? "It was the biggest win for me so far. This is my first season being the starter and regularly playing. It was a whole new experience this year. I was actually involved in the game and playing. I had a direct impact on how the game ended up. "It was probably one of our biggest wins since I've been here. Then again, it's a different perspective for me since I was actually playing in the game." How did you fall in love with soccer and were you a goalie growing up? "I started playing when I was 4 or 5, really ever since I could walk. I started playing goalkeeper when I was 9. I just had a knack for it and liked it from the get-go. I was probably one of the only kids on my under-10 team that wanted to play goalie. I was drawn to it naturally." At what point in high school did you start to think about playing college soccer? "In the eighth grade and freshman year of high school, I was still really enjoying it. That is when I started to have the first initial thoughts of what I wanted to do after high school. I was still having success with it and playing well. I had that passion for it. I really wanted to go past the high school level with it." What was the recruiting process like for you? "I was not highly recruited. I am what you would call an undersized goalkeeper. As far as going to tournaments and trying to get exposure, you only get exposure from club soccer. Colleges don't look at high school soccer as much. It's a much higher level playing club soccer. I would go to tournaments and games, and there would be coaches there. I feel like a lot of them wrote me off right away because they saw my size. They were looking for a bigger goalkeeper than that. "I talked to a couple of schools like Furman and Emory in the southeast. NC State was my main school, and the biggest and best school that gave me attention. As soon as I started visiting and talking to the coaches, I knew it was the place for me. I was very fortunate to get exposure to them and that they gave me the chance." What is your major at NC State and plans for after college? "I'm a business administration major and a minor in Spanish. I'm thinking about doing a supply chain manage - ment concentration. I feel like that is best suited to my strengths. I enjoyed the class that I just took in it. I still have a lot of decisions to make with that. That is kind of where I'd like to go with it, somewhere in supply chain." How hard was it to be patient and wait for your opportunity since unlike other positions, only one goalie plays? "It was very tough my first few years. I wasn't bitter or mad at all because I knew the guy in front of me had a lot more experience than I did, and he deserved to play. Fabian Otte was an incredible goalkeeper. "It gets tough and gets old, just always going out train - ing and on match days, you knew you'd just be sitting and watching. Those years, I worked as hard as I could and prepared myself to be ready once I got my shot. I knew I would get my opportunity and I had to seize my chance when it was given to me." How do you stay focused when there could be stretches of time where you might not get a save? "That is probably the hardest part of being a goalkeeper. A lot of people don't see that because you can't just see that watching the game. It is very much a mental game and concentration because you are expected to come up with a save after not seeing any sort of the ball for 20 minutes. I really try to keep myself busy by organizing the rest of the team, and mostly the back four. "I'm at an advantage where I can see the whole field. They rely on me to tell them where guys are and make sure they are in the right position. Just by doing that, you stay connected to the game and you keep influencing it." Who inspires you? "My dad, Mike McCauley, truly inspires me. He played soccer professionally [for the New York United], and he was the one that got me involved with it at a young age. He was always incredible and developed me at a young age. I attribute much of my success to him. "He also really taught me to be humble. If I ever achieved success, I knew I'd get praise, but he kept me level-headed when I got complimented or had a big game,. He made sure I remained humble. He always supported me through all the years of practices and games." — Jacey Zembal McCauley ranked second in the ACC in saves (67), fourth in saves per game (4.47), fifth in save percentage (.798) and seventh in goals- against average (1.06) through Oct. 27. PHOTO BY GREG MINTEL/ COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS Getting To Know: Alex McCauley ■ Men's Soccer Quick Questions Who would you like to see in concert? Lecrae, who is a Christian rapper. I'm a Christian, and I love his music. What athlete in another sport do you enjoy watching play at NC State? I really liked watching Russell Wilson play, and he's an incred - ible athlete and humble guy off the field. I respect that. Chad Pyke is a wrestler and I look forward to watching him compete this year. He's a good friend of mine. If you didn't pick NC State, what was your next choice? Furman or Emory. Favorite class at NC State? I really enjoyed Business 370. It was about supply chains and op - erations management. I took it this summer, and it inspired me to choose supply chains as my concentration. Favorite place to eat back home in Mari- etta, Ga.? Paper Mill Grill. Android or iPhone? iPhone. Any superstitions? I need to get in the hot tub and I have a couple of songs that I like to listen to before the game. Any reason you wear No. 1? I always think No. 1 is an appropriate number for a goalkeeper. That has been my number. Do your teammates ever remind you that they have to run more at practices and games? If I'm ever tired after practice or if I get treatment, they'll say: "What are you getting treat - ment for? You barely run out there." Last good movie that you have watched? "Gone Girl" was a really good movie.