Redshirt junior forward Nick Surkamp passes the ball during N.C. State’s soccer match against Davidson at Dail Soccer Field Sept. 24, 2013. Surkamp, State’s leading scorer in 2013, scored the Wolfpack’s first goal Friday against the Carolina Railhawks, helping the Pack secure a 2-2 draw." />
John Joyner/Technician
Redshirt junior forward Nick Surkamp passes the ball during N.C. State’s soccer match against Davidson at Dail Soccer Field Sept. 24, 2013. Surkamp, State’s leading scorer in 2013, scored the Wolfpack’s first goal Friday against the Carolina Railhawks, helping the Pack secure a 2-2 draw.
Goals from senior striker Nick Surkamp and sophomore attacking midfielder Michael Bajza secured a 2-2 draw for N.C. State against the Carolina Railhawks Friday at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.
The Wolfpack struck first through Surkamp in the 32nd minute and extended its lead soon after, with Bajza converting a penalty kick in the 39th minute after junior forward Phil Carmon was hauled down by a Railhawks defender in the box.
The Railhawks, a professional team from the North American Soccer League, leveled the score at two goals apiece, with goals on either side of halftime. But despite piling on heavy pressure in the last half hour of play, the professional side could not find a way past the Pack’s junior goalkeeper Alex McCauley.
“I was pleased with the result,” N.C. State head coach Kelly Findley said. “[The Railhawks] brought their first group on for the last 20 minutes, so I was very pleased with our ability to finish out the game.”
The friendly started at an unfriendly pace, and both teams looked to defend high up the field. N.C. State players hunted in packs, continually pressuring their opponent in groups of three, while the Railhawks relied on professional experience, individual quality and a high speed of play.
The result was an open game that moved end to end, characterized by alternating periods of possession dominance, attempts to build from the back, physical challenges and swift counterattacks.
“I thought our pressing was good, and we did a great job in the first half,” Findley said. “We opened them up and got what we wanted. We created more than enough chances to be able to finish the game off, but we just didn’t take advantage.”
Both sides created scoring opportunities. Sophomore midfielder Yanni Hachem hit the post early, but the Railhawks’ attackers forced the Wolfpack’s defense into a number of last-ditch tackles.
Despite the game’s intensity, both teams attempted to accurately play out of the back, although they used different strategies to do so.
The Railhawks, arranged in a 4-4-2 formation, played tight combinations in midfield to escape State’s pressure; however, the Railhawks were forced to rush final passes in the attacking third, and McCauley frequently sprinted off his line to smother through balls in the box.
State’s success passing out from defense was largely due to its formation. Findley’s 4-2-3-1 gave the Wolfpack a man advantage in the middle of the park, and junior defensive midfielder Holden Fender was often free to drop deep and receive the ball on the half-turn.
The Wolfpack’s numerical advantage in midfield and commitment to transition – Findley’s major concentration when preparing for the game – were key in both of State’s first-half goals.
Freshman midfielder Zach Knudson won the ball down the left flank and found attacking midfielder Bajza in between the Railhawks’ midfield and defensive lines. Bajza’s brilliant use of space gave him time to slip a pass in behind the defense for Surkamp to finish smartly from 10 yards out.
State’s second goal also originated with the Wolfpack winning the ball down the left-hand side, but this time it was Fender’s turn to open up Carolina’s defense. The junior played a pinpoint diagonal pass some 40 yards into the path of Carmon, who was taken down in the box just seconds later to earn the penalty, which was converted by Bajza.
But the Railhawks struck back just before half time, when a Wolfpack turnover led to a well-taken headed goal after a cross from the left flank.
The shift in momentum carried over to the second half, when Carolina capitalized on missed clearances to tie the game in the first five minutes of the final period. The game became frantic in the last half hour, but neither team managed another goal.
“We had a poor giveaway in a bad spot,” Findley said. “We had an opportunity to win the ball, gave it away and that led to their first goal. The second was off a counter attack. Anytime you foul players, you create an opportunity for them to put a ball in the box, and I don’t think we managed those situations as well as we should have.”
Despite conceding a two-goal advantage, Findley said he would look at the game’s positives, such as Knudson’s promising debut. The freshman got stuck in just seconds after making his first collegiate appearance, doling out two crunching slide tackles to assert his presence.
Knudson also showed off his offensive capabilities and was particuarly impressive in combination play with Bajza down the left flank.
“I think [Knudson] had some great moments and he solved problems,” Findley said. “He created the first goal with his ability to win the ball and play in Bajza, so he had his hand in a lot of good moves. He looked like a freshman at times, but he’s also playing against a pro team.”
Although only two games into the preseason, Findley said he was proud of the team’s continual improvement as part of the long-term project.
“Last year we lost 3-1 and 2-0 to the pro teams we played, and this year we beat one and tied one,” Findley said. “It’s one thing to play well, but in the end you’re playing to get results, so I’m pleased with how we’ve progressed.”