The NC State men’s soccer team landed two players on the ACC’s all-conference teams, which were announced Tuesday. Wolfpack sophomore midfielder Zach Knudson took a spot on the All-ACC Second Team, while freshman midfielder Julius Duchscherer was named to the All-Freshman team.
Knudson, who made the All-Freshman team in 2014, led the Pack in goals and points in 2015, with six and 15, respectively. Duchscherer was second in both, with five goals and 12 points.
Both players came up big throughout the season, but none more so than the Pack’s goal of the season, a bicycle kick late in the second half to level the score at 1-1 against Notre Dame. The goal, scored by Knudson and assisted by Duchscherer, typified the Pack’s midfield strength this season, which led the team to an 8-6-3 record and a place in the NCAA top-25 for much of the season.
Knudson’s creativity and brilliance on the dribble inspired NC State offensively over the course of the season. After going down 1-0 to a ranked South Carolina team Oct. 13, the Wolfpack looked to Knudson to get the team back in the game.
The Oakland, New Jersey, native first assisted sophomore forward Ryan Peterson with an excellent ball in the box after eluding defenders and then scored the go-ahead goal with just three minutes to go in the match.
His winner, a dazzling, slaloming dribble past four defenders, earned him recognition from Fox Sports and gave the Pack a crucial, RPI-boosting win.
Duchscherer, a late addition to the 2015 recruiting class, has proved an astute pickup. The Weilburg, Germany native has slotted into the right side of the Wolfpack’s midfield diamond with ease, combining solidly with fellow German and freshman right back Simon Blotko.
Quick, agile and good with both feet, Duchscherer has chipped in on the scoring sheet while playing impressive defense. He clogs passing lanes and pokes the ball away from opposing players before making intelligent passes.
Always good in possession, Duchscherer’s international pedigree has made him a mainstay in the Wolfpack team. He provided an assist in his first match in Wolfpack colors and hasn’t looked back, with his best finish probably coming against Appalachian State.
In the 2-1 win over the Mountaineers, the 5-7 midfielder blasted a shot from the right side into the top left corner to give NC State a 1-0 lead.
Both Duchscherer and Knudson join a top class list of some of the best players in the country.
Joining Knudson on the second team were players like Wake Forest’s Michael Gamble, Virginia’s Jake Rozhansky and UNC-Chapel Hill’s Omar Holness, some of the most highly rated players in the NCAA. Still just a sophomore, Knudson should end up on the first team in the next two seasons.
Duchscerer is the third straight Wolfpack player to find himself on the All-Freshman team, with Knudson and junior midfielder Travis Wannemuehler making the cut in past seasons. He joins Wake Forest freshman and ACC Offensive Player of the Year Jack Harrison on the list of the best freshmen in the conference.
Sophomore midfielder Zach Knudson dribbles the ball torward the goal in the 1-4 loss to Clemson on NC Soccer's senior night, October 30th at Dail Soccer Stadium.
