The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2019 ■ 79 Bautista (one goal in five games) can be factor as well. Some newcomers that could contribute immediately include junior George Aso- mani who was a two-time All-American at Monroe College in Bronx, N.Y., and fresh- man Tonny Temple, who Kiefer believes will be one of the fast soccer players in the country. "He can flat out fly," the coach stated. Redshirt freshman Kuda Muskwe is an- other speedster at forward that should help press opponents. This year's team should help Kiefer move forward to his vision for the program. "It's been a progression for sure," Kiefer said. "We keep it very simple. Our new athletics director and sport administrator just did a tour of our locker room and they kind of laugh because there's only three words in there and they say the same thing: win. "We don't complicate it. We are going to play to win, but I think there has been a plan on paper with the staff as far as how we would like to do it, and I'm sure this year will be more in line with how we would like to do it as far as the amount we're on the ball." ■ Three Players To Watch Junior goalkeeper Leon Krapf The Gochsheim, Germany, native has played ev- ery second in goal over the past two seasons for the Wolfpack. He was a two-time choice for the ACC Defensive Player of the Week in 2018, being awarded for shutout wins over ranked ACC foes No. 14 Virginia Tech and No. 1 North Carolina. Junior midfielder David Loera He followed up his ACC All-Freshman selection in 2017 by being named first-team all-league as a sophomore. The Orlando, Fla., native's 2018 cam- paign was highlighted by scoring the game-winner against top-ranked and archrival UNC. Senior midfielder Gabriel Machado The Sao Paulo, Brazil, product transferred to NC State from Monroe College in Bronx, N.Y., where he had been the 2017 NJCAA Division I Region XV Men's Soccer Player of the Year. Machado made a quick impact in Raleigh, leading the Pack in goals (six) and points (15) while also being named the TopDraw - erSoccer.com National Player of the Week Sept. 4. ■ By The Numbers 3 Wins over ranked opponents last year — No. 1 UNC, No. 4 Akron and No. 14 Virginia Tech. The Pack also tied No. 6 Louisville and No. 24 Syracuse. Its overall record against ranked teams was 3-4-2. 5 Foreign countries represented on NC State's roster — Brazil, England, Germany, Ghana and Spain. There are two players from England and Spain, and one each from the other countries. 20 Goals scored by returning players from last season. The Pack scored 25 times in 18 games last year. Noting The Pack • Head coach George Kiefer is quick to credit his staff when it came to signing a top-10 recruiting class. The Pack's crew was ranked sixth on the strength of four top-150 prospects, and that was before international standout Pablo Pedregosa was officially added. "I think as a team we work very, very well to - gether," Kiefer said. "I think you really got to look at my associate head coach Jeff [Negalha]. … His first job was with me down at South Florida and helping me build that, but then he was across the road at UNC recruiting and won a championship there and been to multiple Final Fours. "He understands North Carolina; he understands the league. He is, by far, one of the best associate head coaches in the country. There are a lot of associate head coaches who get it by title, their head coach gives it to them to help them. He truly is an associate head coach. He's excellent. The guy knows people everywhere. Having him is definitely a big piece." • Kiefer had a story to help explain how detail- oriented his goalkeeper, junior Leon Krapf, can be both on and off the field. "He came into my office at the end of spring, and he was disappointed because he ended up getting an A as opposed to A-plus," Kiefer said. "In most cases, teachers round up. I think he was .3 of a point away from having an A-plus. I assured him he was going to be okay. "It's that mentality, that detail, that he puts into things off the field that typically carries over onto the field." • NC State lost sophomore midfielder Manny Perez in the offseason. Perez signed a multi-year contract to play professionally with Celtic F.C. of the Scottish Premiership. Kiefer is excited to be able to show recruits that players can sign to play in Europe. "But I will tell you my first priority is to help these guys to get their degree," Kiefer added. "It's so delicate, the pro game, and one injury can set you back. You really secure your future when you have your college degree." ■ Key Games • Vs. Notre Dame, Oct. 4: NC State did not play the Fighting Irish, who came within a game of making the College Cup (college soccer's version of the Final Four), a year ago. This game will also be men's soc - cer's debut on the ACC Network. • Vs. Wake Forest, Oct. 11: Before being upset in the third round of the NCAA Tournament, Wake For - est was a near unanimous No. 1 team in the country in the final coaches' poll, receiving 27 of 28 first- place votes. Wake shut out NC State twice last year, 3-0 during the regional season and 2-0 in the ACC Tournament. • At Duke, Oct. 18: The only time NC State is sched - uled to play its other Tobacco Road rival (UNC) is in a preseason exhibition match. This showdown in Dur- ham will be televised on the ACC Network. Duke was ranked No. 8 in the final coaches' poll of last season.