For Ivy Brisma, a freshman left-wing studying accounting, soccer is practically in his blood. From a young age, he can remember his uncle helping him sneak out of his house to go play soccer whenever possible.
“When I used to live in Haiti, my uncle was well known there for soccer,” Brisma said. “So he would sneak me out, because my mom wouldn’t let me go out without doing my homework to go play soccer. So I was six, seven, playing with 18-year-old guys. And he would always sneak me out of the house to go play soccer, so that’s how I started.”
Before joining the men’s team at NC State, Brisma played for the Philadelphia Union, where he developed himself as a strong forward on the U-15/16, U-17/18 and U-18/19 teams. Since joining the Wolfpack, Brisma has shown himself to be a strong player willing to do what it takes to win the game.
“Ivy’s been a key piece,” head coach George Kiefer said. “I think Ivy’s gotten some good action and some moments where we needed good action and produced some stuff for us, whether it be goals or assists that have helped. Really adjusting nicely, very pleased with Ivy right now.”
With the season well underway, Brisma’s speed and determination have contributed well to the Wolfpack’s current overall 6-1 record. Fellow player Cjay Sparks, a senior forward studying business administration, says that Brisma’s tenacity on the field is a great asset to the team.
“We always compliment [Ivy’s] speed, first of all, but he’s also very dangerous just in one-to-one play,” Sparks said. “Getting around people, assisting people, and he’s also a great finisher. Obviously he’s put in two or three goals for us already, and we hope to see more.”
Although his career with the Wolfpack just started, Brisma is already looking ahead, hopeful for a professional career in soccer. The team’s positive and hard-working mentality, Brisma said, is a driving force in finishing college and moving forward.
“I just see the team going very far, because we go in and put in the work every single day, and come out and we feel positive about it,” Brisma said. “And every day we just go in and be positive about everything…. I personally want to go and play professionally, but I see myself finishing college and getting my degree, and we’ll see what comes after that.”
Coach Kiefer makes sure to keep tabs on Brisma’s academic performance, as well as his athletic performance on the field. Having developed well as a player with the Philadelphia Union, there is no question that Brisma’s playing ability is up to par.
“He has a good pedigree,” Kiefer said. “He’s been with the Philly Union for a while, and they are known to develop a bunch of players. We just want to be a spoke in the wheel of his development. Looking at him athletically, academically – I want to make sure when I call his grandmother that he has good grades. So, all those things are important.”
Making sure that he’s able to work well with his teammates is an important part of having Brisma play with the Wolfpack. According to Sparks, Brisma’s work ethic and humility make him a good match for the team.
“He’s been putting in work every day since he got here, both on and off the field,” Sparks said. “He’s been contributing. He’s also been able to stay humble, and been the team player that we’ve been looking for.”
With three more years with the Wolfpack ahead of him, Brisma is setting himself up to be a key member of the men’s soccer team. When asked what his favorite part of playing for the Wolfpack has been so far, Brisma cited the team as a family, and the vibes generated in the locker room amongst a close-knit group of guys.
“It’s been amazing so far,” Brisma said. “Everybody, like Cjay, the seniors, everyone – they’re just so welcoming and it just feels like a family. You just feel comfortable every time in the locker room; everybody just has a great vibe. It’s just the energy in the locker room that’s just amazing. That’s basically my favorite part, the locker room. It’s just where everything is done.”
