The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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48 ■ THE WOLFPACKER was 7‑2‑3, including 2‑1‑3 against ranked op‑ ponents, and climbed to No. 20 in the polls. The Pack then went 1‑4 in the final five games, losing to three straight opponents to close the campaign. Two of those losses were against No. 15 Syracuse, one on the road and the other in the first round of the ACC Tournament. The Orange went on to reach the College Cup (soccer's version of the Fi‑ nal Four), where they lost to No. 3 Clemson, whom NCSU also fell to in that late‑season stretch. Despite finishing with the No. 33 RPI in the country, NC State did not receive an at‑ large bid. "I think with anything in life, when you get that close and have that experience and you don't get it, it just pushes you a little further," Findley said. The coach's enthusiasm about his program has not wavered. He is steadfast that he has a strong nucleus of older, experienced players mixed with talented newcomers that should allow them to compete with any team in the ACC, and thus nationally as well. "We have the quality," Findley insisted. "It's now making sure we believe in what we are doing every day so we can overcome any history that we may have." Leading the attack at forward could be a trio of sophomores: Tanner Roberts, Clayton Sparks and Ade Taiwo (redshirt). Roberts is a right‑footer who can work well in the box, Taiwo is a left‑footer with a strong long‑range shot and Sparks is one of the fastest players Findley said that he has ever seen. Findley also is excited about his depth in the midfield. Among the options, sophomore Julius Duchscherer made the Freshman All‑ ACC squad in 2015 and senior Lukas Zarges is a UNC Greensboro transfer that made first‑ team All‑Southern Conference as a junior. Sophomore Francesco Casucci made the All‑ Conference USA Freshman team at New Mexico a year ago before arriving at NCSU. "I don't think finding good players is going to be an issue in any shape or form," Findley said. "It's all going to be about relationships and who plays well together." There is good competition at defender, although junior Caleb Duvernay and sopho‑ more Simon Blotko return with starting expe‑ rience. At goalkeeper, fifth‑year senior Alex McCauley returns after playing all but 24:56 out of a possible 1,610:30 in goal last season. "I'm excited about the players, excited about our mentality," Findley said. "I think we made great progress last year. All the guys were very disappointed about not getting into the NCAA Tournament, and that usually helps you that next year because when you are that close and you can taste it, now you want it. I think the guys are motivated by that, and I'm also optimistic about the quality of players." ■ Sophomore midfielder Julius Duchscherer netted five goals and assisted on two more en route to being named to the All-ACC Freshman Team last year. PHOTO BY GREG MINTEL Newcomers To Watch A couple of foreign imports could help bolster NC State's defense in 2016. Head coach Kelly Findley is hopeful that sophomore Jake Dykes from Ireland and junior Adrian Gahabka from Germany can compete for spots alongside returning starters junior Caleb Duvernay and sophomore Simon Blotko, him- self a native German. Dykes is captain of the Under-18 Irish Schoolboys team while Gahabka, at 6-1, 185 pounds he is one of the biggest players listed on the roster, played in 18 games for the German Regionaliga club team this year. Three Players To Watch Junior defender Caleb Duvernay Since arriving, Duvernay has been a stalwart on the back line. Last year he flashed some attacking skills, too. He scored two goals and notched three assists. Both of his goals were game-winners. Sophomore midfielder Julius Duchscherer One of six Germans on the team, Duchscherer had a quick impact at NC State. He is the leading returning goal scorer after netting five last season. He also had two assists and was named to the All- ACC Freshman Team. Fifth-year senior goalkeeper Alex McCauley McCauley will likely be entering his third year as a starter in the net. Last year he had a 1.58 goals-against average and saved 42 shots. He is also a three-time ACC Academic Honor Roll member. ■ By The Numbers 3.49 The team's spring semester grade point average. The overall GPA on the squad is 3.340 — highest of all men's sports at NC State. 6 Weeks spent ranked in the top 25 last season. 11 Newcomers on this year's roster, including three international and two college transfers that range from sophomores to seniors. Noting The Pack • NC State will have eight foreign-born players (all from countries in Europe) on its roster this season. Six of them are from Germany. Head coach Kelly Find- ley noted that the European imports typically have more experience playing against older players versus United States recruits whose first experience versus a broader age group comes when they arrive at college. The foreigners also bring an appreciation for the opportunity of college soccer. "Over there they have to do either the university or football, you have to choose," Findley noted. • It is status quo for the ACC again in men's soccer. The preseason poll of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America has six league teams ranked in the top 17: No. 3 Clemson, No. 5 Wake Forest, No. 6 Syracuse, No. 8 North Carolina, No. 11 Boston Col - lege and No. 17 Virginia. • To avoid having two consecutive years without playing archrival UNC, the Wolfpack scheduled a non- conference game in Chapel Hill this season. The Heels are expected to return the trip in 2017.