This week, all attention is on the N.C. State football team’s showdown with No. 3 Clemson at Carter-Finley Stadium, and for a good reason. The Wolfpack is 2-0, and the last time a team ranked that high came to Raleigh, Florida State fell to the Mike Glennon-led Wolfpack about less than a year ago.
But some other lesser known sports are doing great things on campus as well.
The women’s soccer team, under the direction of first-year head coach Tim Santoro, is off to a 6-2 start this season. Both losses have been from tough opponents, No. 13 Georgetown and No. 8 Notre Dame. The Pack nabbed its first ACC win in about two years on Sunday at Pittsburgh. Freshman forward Jackie Stengel has been sensational for the Pack so far this season, totaling six goals with three of those being game winners, including her goal on Sunday.
Through eight games last season, the Pack’s record stood at 5-3.
Under new leadership, a solid core of contributors and the veteran players, it’s difficult to foresee the team going through such a significant collapse for the second year in a row. The Wolfpack, who have played well throughout the season even in its losses, face ACC foe Miami on the road Thursday night.
The men’s soccer team has played just half the amount of games as the women’s team and continues conference play with a road clash against perennial powerhouse Virginia on Friday night in Charlottesville, Va. The Pack sits at 3-1 on the season with wins over Campbell, William and Mary and Pittsburgh. On Saturday night, State played well but fell short in a 1-0 home loss to Clemson in which it outshot the Tigers 17-6.
Alex Martinez, Nick Surkamp and Nazmi Albadawi are veterans that lead the Wolfpack. However, members of the Pack’s top 20 recruiting class are contributing to the team. Freshman forward Travis Wannemeuhler, the highest regarded recruit of the class, has started every game this season, and fellow freshman forward Davi Ramos has seen action in all four games as well, and registered a goal in the season-opening win over Campbell on Aug. 30. Senior goalkeeper Fabian Otte has registered 12 saves and a pair of shutouts through four games.
Last season, the men’s soccer team began the season 6-0 and ascended to No. 14 in the nation before the wheels fell off, due in part to off-the-field issues. The Pack finished 10-10, missing out on a postseason bid.
Similar to the women’s team, the men return many key players from last season, so a tailspin such as the one last season is not anticipated. There is no substitute for experience. The fact the ACC is one of the toughest conferences for soccer, both men’s and women’s, helps in the long run. They best way to get better is to play those who are better.
The volleyball team currently sits at 8-1 and is coming off of a weekend trip to Houston, Texas in which it won two out of three matches. The Wolfpack beat Houston Baptist and Rice by identical 3-1 scores but fell to Missouri 3-0. State has lost just six sets this season. It will host the Courtyard Midtown Raleigh Invitational from Sept. 20-21 and will face Wisconsin, Colgate, and VCU at Reynolds Coliseum.
Last season, the Pack started strong by reaching a record of 15-1 before cooling off in ACC play. It did, however, earn an NCAA Tournament bid and although they lost in the first round to Texas A&M, the season was viewed as a rousing success. Right now, the Wolfpack looks to be on course to make a reappearance in the postseason.
So while you prepare for the spectacle at Carter-Finley on Thursday night, also think about stopping by Reynolds Coliseum this weekend, or consider spending an evening at Dail Soccer Stadium.
