The NC State men’s soccer team rolled over Cleveland State 4-0 on Friday in Raleigh. Senior Nick Surkamp (2), freshman Zach Knudson and freshman Ryan Peterson all scored for the Wolfpack.
The Pack (1-1-1) performed impressively; junior keeper Alex McCauley recorded a clean sheet and only had to make three saves, while an offense that struggled over the opening weekend pounded the previously undefeated Vikings (2-1).
Redshirt senior striker Surkamp was particularly dominant. The preseason ACC All-Conference first teamer scored a pair of goals despite coming off the bench.
“We got our system right,” Surkamp said. “We got four goals and a win, which is how we planned to start the season, but it just didn’t happen.”
Going into the game, the Wolfpack was missing its standout freshman center back Conor Donovan, who is in Argentina with the U-20 U.S. Men’s National Team until Sept. 10; however, experienced senior defender Moss Jackson-Atogi, who started throughout State’s spring season, stepped in to plug the gap.
“Moss is a hard-working, tough defender,” Head Coach Kelly Findley said. “He’s played a lot of minutes over the last couple years, and he came in and did what he was supposed to do.”
Joining Jackson-Atogi in the Pack defense were experienced starters in seniors Ryan Metts and Clement Simonin, but a more recent addition was freshman Caleb Duvernay, who slotted in at left back to allow junior Reed Norton to start in an advanced left wing position.
Accompanying this change in personnel was a formation change. Rather than the 4-4-2, which looked vulnerable against Cal Poly, Findley moved Knudson inside and gave Norton freedom to attack on the left in a fluid 4-3-3 shape.
“There was a big difference in the way we played compared to the first few games,” Findley said. “We changed our setup and the guys responded to it very well.”
The changes paid dividends early, as Knudson barreled through the defense after good build-up play between freshman forward Ade Taiwo and sophomore right winger Travis Wannemuehler. The attacking midfielder’s shot deflected off the crossbar to put the Pack up 1-0 after only 10 minutes of play.
Knudson was involved again in the second goal of the match in the 34th minute, as he carried the ball over the halfway line and aided freshman forward Ryan Peterson. Peterson combined with the subbed on Surkamp, and the senior striker finished well into the lower right corner.
The Pack cruised through the rest of the half, with the players responding strongly to Findley’s adjustments.
“The 4-3-3 s better for our personal,” Findley said. “There were a few times where they played through us, but overall the pressure was excellent.”
The Wolfpack offense had to wait until the 85th minute to grab a third goal, but once again it was Surkamp who provided it. The Manassas, Virginia, native latched onto junior midfielder Philip Carmon’s pass and calmly chipped the Cleveland State keeper from 10 yards.
Peterson would seal the 4-0 victory less than a minute later, scoring his first collegiate goal with ease on a Zach Knudson assist.
Knudson described the win as fueled by a “positive anger” no doubt stewing since the shock loss to Cal Poly last Sunday, while midfielder Phil Carmon described the win as payoff for hard work and a declaration of intent for how the team wishes to continue.
“It was what this team deserved,” Carmon said. “We’ve been working hard since day one and this four-nil win makes a statement.”
For head coach Findley, the team’s performance was a natural reply to last week’s missed opportunity.
“You have to lose to remind yourself how much you hate it,” Findley said. “We certainly responded.”
The Wolfpack looks to carry this momentum into a Monday night at home against the College of William & Mary at 7 p.m.
