Jordan Beck

Associate Sports Editor

The NC State men’s soccer team kicked off preseason play with a hard fought 1-0 road win over UNC-Wilmington on Sunday, courtesy of a goal from freshman midfielder Andrew Malinich.

“We had a good first outing,” head coach Kelly Findley said. “The result is always important no matter the circumstances, but we played well, our defending was sharp, and I think we have a deep team. This is a hardworking, competitive group of guys, and right now they’re really enjoying being around each other.”

In the match, the first of three warmup games before the team starts its fall season, Findley and his staff got a solid look at the host of newly arrived talent at their disposal.

“The new guys are playing really well,” Findley said. “Izzy Evans and Andrew Malinich combined for a great goal against Wilmington, and the other freshmen have adjusted as well.”

A hotly contested game between the two sides saw the Wolfpack take the lead in the 84th minute of play. Evans played a volleyed cross to the diving Malinich, and the New Orleans native’s diving header found the back of the net.

Since arriving for preseason training, the team members have prepared themselves mentally and physically for the demanding schedule of D-1 collegiate soccer.

“The most important thing is that [players] come back fit, healthy and prepared,” Findley said. “We do that a couple of ways. One, they play on high-level teams in the summer, and two, we have a great strength and conditioning coach on our staff, Andrew Scheck.”

Throughout July, players can voluntarily train with Scheck here at NC State. The benefit of top notch training facilities and personnel allows the coaching staff to totally focus on soccer without worrying about player fitness.

For Findley and his staff, helping veteran players recover the tactical and positional concepts built in the spring season and integrating new players into the team cohesiveness is paramount.

“You always have to do reminders and refresh memories since guys have been off playing on other teams with different coaches, perspectives and tactics,” Findley said. “That’s what preseason’s about: building relationships with the guys you play close to on the field.”

One of those key relationships lies at the heart of defense: the center back pairing. While seniors Moss Jackson-Atogi and Clement Simonin offer experience and leadership, incoming players, such as U.S. under-20 national team defender Conor Donovan and Uruguayan under-20 defender Matias Fracchia, offer quality, depth and competition.

“Players have to play quicker and sharper because they know their position is on the line,” Findley said. “Also, the quality of a player like Conor Donovan helps bolster what we have already — guys like Moss, Clement and others.”

Strength in depth will be invaluable for the Wolfpack this year. Findley’s recruiting efforts resulted in a class of incoming freshmen ranked third nationally by Top Drawer Soccer and first in the ACC.

Freshman attacking midfielder Zach Knudson and junior left back Reed Norton, who transferred in January from Georgia Southern University, have already staked their claim for starting berths in Findley’s new-look side after excellent spring campaigns.

Moreover, former Cardinal Gibbons high school striker and current Wolfpack freshman Ade Taiwo, who did not feature in the spring due to recovery from an ACL injury, is now fit to bolster the State front line.

Findley, who sees his side playing a 4–4–2 formation this season, spoke highly of his options for the strike partnership.

“We have a nice rotation of four players while maintaining the option of throwing Yanni Hachem or Zach Knudson up there. So even though it’s a 4–4–2 those guys will play a little deeper ‘in the hole,’ and make themselves difficult to mark.”

With the regular season fast approaching, Findley remains confident in his team’s play so far.

“I’m pleased with our players’ approach and focus at playing their best every day,” Findley said. “They’re not worried about opponents. They’re just focused on representing NC State soccer.”

The Wolfpack plays Campbell and Elon to round off preseason before the season opener against Valparaiso on Aug. 29 at Dail Soccer Stadium.