When the NC State men’s soccer team takes the field for its first spring exhibition match at the end of this month, it will do so with a largely makeshift starting XI.
Along with the departure of seven seniors, the Pack saw a number of other key players transfer from the school, resulting in a 2015 roster that stands significantly lighter than many expected.
With the majority of the 2015 recruiting class yet to officially commit, head coach Kelly Findley will get a clear look at the players at his disposal and a clearer understanding of the deficiencies needing fixing before the fall.
With that in mind, here’s an early look at the existing squad: who’s in, who’s out and who could step up and make a difference in 2015.
In goal, NC State will once again rely on veteran shot stopper Alex McCauley. McCauley, a junior, stepped into the shoes of former keeper Fabian Otte with aplomb in 2014, recording a 76.6 percent save percentage and six shutouts.
Head coach Kelly Findley had recruited U-18 National Team member Marius Heislitz to challenge in 2014, but with McCauley earning his spot between the posts with a number of impressive displays, Heislitz headed to greener pastures at the College of Charleston.
As redshirt junior Joe Mills passed on his last year of eligibility to graduate, the backup next season will most likely be current sophomore Boo Davis.
The NC State defense has taken the heaviest losses in the past two seasons, and the departure of freshman Conor Donovan to MLS-side Orlando City didn’t help.
Freshmen Caleb Duvernay and Matias Fracchia stepped up admirably to win starting berths in 2014 and should continue in 2015 at left back and center back, respectively. However, beyond those two, more questions remain.
Seniors Clement Simonin and Moss Jackson-Atogi both graduated to thin out center back, while graduating seniors Ryan Metts and Matt Ingram leave a hole at right back.
Verbal commit Aidan Wixted should eventually slot in, having impressed enough during his time with Orland City’s Academy to earn a Youth National Team call-up, but won’t feature in the spring.
Findley will most likely seek out an overseas or stateside transfer in the coming months at center back, while junior Seth Poole should see time in the interim.
Midfield is the most surprising position for the Pack moving into 2015, as sophomore pair Michael Bajza and Roland Minogue both chose to transfer. Bajza and Minogue split time alongside junior captain Holden Fender and freshman phenom Zach Knudson in 2014.
That opens up a vacancy in the middle, and freshmen Cameron Steele and Nick Retzlaff could see time alongside Fender, as could Knudson if Findley opts for a more attacking lineup. Freshman early enrollee Ben Locke’s versatility also remains an option.
On the wings, State already has the experienced duo of sophomore Travis Wannemuehler and junior Reed Norton. Wannemuehler established himself in 2014 as one of the Pack’s most dangerous attackers with three goals and four assists, and Norton’s combination of improvisation, versatility and pace saw him play as a defender, midfielder and forward last season.
The aforementioned Locke could see time out wide but put money on freshman early enrollee Stephen Elias. The Rye, New York attacker can play as a forward or on the wings, and his penetrative dribbling will instantaneously boost a State squad that struggled to consistently threaten defenses in open play.
It’s up front where the Wolfpack roster is most promising. Although forward Nick Surkamp graduated, his injury issues in 2014 meant State already had to compensate. In 2015, freshman Ade Taiwo should be back healthy, while freshman early enrollee Tanner Roberts could get a starting spot depending on the chosen formation.
Freshman Andrew Malinich didn’t see time in the regular season but found the back of the net in the 2014 preseason, and the Louisiana native should get time in the upcoming slate of spring games.
