Not even the end of a successful home stand can force the Pack out of its comfort zone.
On Friday, N.C . State (4-0) travels north to Pittsburgh, PA. for the highly anticipated Pitt Soccer Classic. The two game series, which will feature matches against No. 22 Penn State and the winner of the Pittsburgh-Colarado College contest, won’t only provide a stern test – it will mark the homecoming of Pennsylvania freshmen Shelli Spamer and Cheyenne Spade. Spamer , who grew up about 20 min. away from Pittsburgh, will arrive to a large contingent of family and friends.
“I know all of those players [on Penn State and Pittsburgh], so I really want to work hard,” Spamer said. “We need to pretend like we have lost the past four games. We just need to work hard and bring it.”
As a highly touted defender coming out of Peters Township High, Spamer arrived in Raleigh with a chance to make an immediate impact. During the first four games, she has played all 360 min. for the Pack.
“I really loved the school and wanted to play in the ACC,” Spamer said. “I also wanted to play in the south because the weather is warmer than in Pittsburgh. I love [Coach Steve Springthorpe ] and the assistant coaches, so it was a great fit.”
The addition of Spamer strengthens the back end for the Wolfpack . Springthorpe said he is excited to have a road trip so close to a freshmen’s home.
“I’m sure she’ll have an excitement to go back home and play in front of friends and family,” Springthorpe said. “I’m happy we are able to do that for her. She’s been great. We knew she was going to be good when she came in here because she was a highly recruited player and she has done everything that we have asked her to do. Ultimately, she’s made a few mistakes as a freshman, but nothing that has cost us.”
With six seniors on NCSU’s team, Springthorpe will not have to worry about the leadership on his 2011 squad. Ready for the first road trip of the season, senior forward Tanya Cain said leading by example starts and ends with a business trip-like focus.
“It’s always nerve-wracking the first away game,” Cain said. “It’s a different scenery, it’s a different field, so we just tell the freshmen to focus. Even though it’s in a foreign place, we need to make sure we are on our game.”
Cain’s 13 shots leads NCSU heading into a difficult weekend set. Friday’s 5 p.m . match against Penn State will be the first top-25 opponent the Wolfpack will have faced this season. Sunday’s game will be at either noon or 2:30 p.m . depending on the outcome of Pittsburgh and Colorado College’s contest on Friday night.
“We haven’t really got to the thick of our competition yet,” Cain said. “Every game we play from here on in is going to be tougher and tougher. It’s really about moving on from the past and thinking about that next game.”
Cain’s coach for the past three seasons, Steve Springthorpe , will bring a squad up to Pennsylvania that is full of confidence. After dropping it’s first game to powerhouse Stanford, the Pack’s first opponent has won its last three matches.
“Obviously we have confidence winning four in a row,” Springthorpe said. “We’re excited about the opportunity to go up to Pittsburgh and play in their tournament. Friday is a really good test for us.
“Our team is looking forward to playing a team that is in the top 25, has been in final fours, and has a great history playing soccer.”
