The No. 26-ranked NC State men’s soccer team takes on Loyola University Maryland on Friday in what will be the first match of the regular season. The Pack is coming into this match undefeated in exhibition play, with its last win coming on Saturday with a 2-1 victory against VCU.

NC State’s victory against VCU came in the 88th minute. With the game tied 1-1, junior defender Jamie Smith scored the game-winner off a well-placed corner kick. This win continued NC State’s great form at home as last season the Pack was 8-0-3 at Dail Soccer Field.

The Pack will be looking to take this momentum into Friday’s match against Loyola, which finished last season with a record of 12-4-1. They also had a great road record, winning 7 of 9 games last season.

Loyola had a great record last year thanks to its Patriot League Conference record of 7-1-1. One of the big reasons for that was the great play from five players on their starting 11 who won first-team All-Patriot honors. These players include forward Brian Saramago, midfielders Barry Sharifi and Gabriel Carlsson, defender Jake Dengler and goalkeeper Chase Vosvick.

Jake Dengler will not be returning this year for Loyola as he transferred to the University of Connecticut. Gabriel Carlsson is also not returning this year because he graduated after the 2018 season. However, with three All-Patriot League First Team players returning, Loyola is still a very solid team.

Gabriel Machado, the Pack’s leading goal scorer from last year, is returning this year. He finished last season with six goals and three assists. David Loera, who led the team in assists, is also returning for the Pack this year. He registered seven assists and three goals last year, as well as All-ACC first-team honors.

With both of these excellent offensive players returning, it should make for an exciting matchup against Loyola, a team who also has plenty of offensive power returning.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Dail Soccer Field on Friday, Aug. 30.