In its second-to-last spring exhibition game, the NC State men’s soccer team recorded a 1-1 draw with UNC-Wilmington, Saturday night at Dail Soccer Stadium. 

A curling corner kick from freshman midfielder Zach Knudson caught Wilmington’s defenders by surprise, ricocheting in off the post midway through the first half, but the Wolfpack failed to hold the lead as a Seahawk player would equalize late in the match.

More important than the night’s result, however, was the opportunity to play another competitive 90-minute match, making the game a chance to assess and continue developing team principles for the coming season.

“I think the positives were that we could have scored a couple goals,” head coach Kelly Findley said. “I think a tie is a good result. We played everybody. I think we had six freshmen playing for 90 minutes.”

With that in mind, here are three takeaways.

1. The 2015 incarnation of the NC State team will be defined by flexibility and fluidity.

Findley has deployed two formations in the spring, which most likely signals a desire to alternate between the two depending on the opposition. Against Wilmington, the Pack played the entirety of the game in a 4-4-2, with the midfield four in a flexible diamond shape.

“I do like the diamond,” Findley said. “I think it works with our personnel, and if we can get it right, we’ll be very good in it.”

Junior captain Holden Fender held his position in front of the defense, while freshmen midfielders Nick Retzlaff and Cameron Steele played as shuttlers on the left and right respectively, alternating their positioning between central and wide areas of the field depending on the situation. All-ACC freshman midfielder Zach Knudson played at the point of the diamond, but he often drifted into space on the flanks.

Last year’s team featured less positional flexibility, as two of the primary midfielders, Michael Bajza and Roland Minogue, were truly central players that focused on passing the ball, rather than dribbling and interchanging positions with teammates.

Against Wilmington, the Pack players showed their versatility. Junior Reed Norton, who was fielded as a left back, left mid and striker at different times last season, played center back next to freshman Matias Fracchia.

“Reed’s skill set fits there really well,” Findley said. “He’s good in the air, he works hard, he’s a good organizer, he reads the game well, his passing range is good. It’s something we’re looking at.”

Sophomore Travis Wannemuehler, who played exclusively as a right or left winger last season, was fielded at right back and was asked to motor up and down the touchline while providing service in the box.

Knudson started at attacking mid, but the New Jersey prospect can easily play all four roles in midfield and was moved to forward late in the match, interchanging with sophomore Yanni Hachem, who started in the pairing up top. Hachem has also seen time at attacking midfield and on the wing.

This emphasis on fluidity, both from a formation perspective and a player position perspective, should help the Wolfpack be a more dynamic, adaptable, and dangerous team this fall.

2. Despite its relative youth, the midfield should be just fine.

In 2014, State deployed a midfield trio featuring three of Fender, Knudson and the departed Bajza and Minogue. Steele and Retzlaff saw limited action as freshman, but against UNC-W, both played the full 90 minutes, and neither looked out of place against a talented and physical Seahawk team.

The two local prospects, Steele from Cardinal Gibbons High School and Retzlaff, a Railhawks Academy player, were smart and quick with the ball and weren’t afraid to tackle with conviction. 

If the spring is any indication, both players should feature prominently in the fall, and while there is still a learning curve given their limited experience, the pair looks more than up for the challenge.

3. Scoring is still a concern, so the Pack’s forwards must stay healthy.

Despite creating chances against the Seahawks, the Wolfpack failed to score from open play. All three of the team’s nominal center forwards, freshmen Ade Taiwo, Tanner Roberts and Ryan Peterson, were sidelined by injury, and the Pack will need this young group to find the back of the net in the fall.

“Those guys will be back for the fall,” Findley said. “They’ve just got a couple tweaks and it’s not worth the risk now. It’s better to just get them finishing strong. Maybe they’ll play next week, but really it’s just about preparing for the [regular season].”

Freshman winger/forward Stephen Elias looks like a great prospect, but he’s still adapting to the speed of the game and looks to create, rather than finish, chances. 

The Pack could find its talisman in 2014-15 Gatorade State Player of the Year Clayton Sparks, who will arrive later this year. The Jacksonville High School forward scored 47 goals and notched 12 assists this past year and will round out a highly rated (when healthy) forward group.

With that said, the game isn’t played on paper, so Findley hopes his young recruits can stay healthy and carry the scoring burden come the regular season.