North Carolina State University Athletics
Men's Soccer Faces ODU in NCAA Tournament on Saturday
11/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 17, 2003
2003 NCAA Tournament Bracket
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RALEIGH, N.C. -- George Tarantini's men's soccer team was selected to play in the NCAA Tournament against Old Dominion on Saturday, Nov. 22 in the first round. It is the Wolfpack's first NCAA Tournament berth since 1994, and the 11th appearance overall in school history. The Wolfpack will travel to ODU this Saturday for a 6:00 p.m. contest. The announcement comes after NC State tied No. 8 North Carolina in the first round of the ACC Tournament on Nov. 13, advancing 4-3 on penalty kicks to improve to 9-8-2.
Six of the seven ACC teams were invited to the NCAA Tournament, with three teams among the 16 seeds. Maryland (No. 2 seed), Wake Forest (No. 3) and North Carolina (No. 4) join Clemson, Virginia and the Wolfpack in the field. Duke was the only ACC team not to receive a bid.
NC State Returns to NCAA Tournament: For the first time since 1994, the NC State men's soccer team returns to the NCAA Tournament. The Wolfpack is 5-9-2 all-time, playing in 10 different NCAA Tournaments. NC State dropped its first six appearances (1981-87), then had successful runs in both 1990 and 1991. In 1990, NC State advanced to the Final Four, only losing to UCLA on penalty kicks. The very next season the Pack made it to the quarterfinals. Most recently, NC State fell in second round action in both 1992 and 1994.
Pack in ACC Tournament: The Wolfpack enjoyed a strong run in the 2003 ACC Tournament, tying No. 8 North Carolina 0-0, then advancing on penalty kicks, then almost upsetting No. 2 Maryland 2-1 in the semifinals. In the quarterfinals against UNC, the two teams would battle to a scoreless tie after 110 minutes of action, then the game went to PKs. NC State's first shot rung off the post, which helped give UNC a 2-1 lead after two rounds. After the Pack scored in back-to-back rounds, it was keeper Jorge Gonzalez that came up big stopping a shot in the third round to make it 2-2. The two teams exchanged goals in the fourth, then NC State's Bryant Salter gave NC State the lead with his PK, making it 4-3 NCSU. Gonzalez then came up with his second saved PK of the day, and enabled the Wolfpack to advance in the ACC Tournament for the first time since 1992. In the semifinal round, the tournament's top seed Maryland scored the first two goals of the contest, but the Wolfpack would score a goal of its own in the 81st minute, but it was not enough as Maryland advanced to the finals.
NC State Returns to Winning Ways: The NC State Wolfpack got back to its winning ways in 2003, currently holding a 9-8-2 mark. The nine wins is the most for a NC State squad since 1997, also the last time the Wolfpack finished with a winning record. The Wolfpack used timely goals, and a strong defensive effort all season by outscoring the opposition 24-22. The Wolfpack recorded seven shutouts this season, the most in a single season since 1989, and at one point this year had four in a row. Included in the 2003 season was a fourth place ACC finish, and an 8-0-1 mark at Method Road this season.
Pack Performs Well in ACC Play: A major part of NC State's renewed success was its play in the ACC. The Wolfpack finished tied for fourth with North Carolina, its highest finish in the ACC since 1997, at 2-3-1. In fact, the two conference wins were more then the previous five seasons combined (1-28-1) for NC State. The fans at Method Road got their money's worth watching the Pack play at home in the ACC this season, as NC State went 2-0-1 against three nationally ranked opponents. The Wolfpack defeated No. 24 Clemson 2-0, then No. 7 Virginia 1-0 ,in back-to-back weekends in September. NC State also tied No. 3 North Carolina 1-1. While NC State was successful in its home ACC games, the Wolfpack dropped all three of its conference match-ups on the road, being outscored 6-0.
Pack Players Get ACC Honors: Sophomore Aaron King was named to the All-ACC first team. King is the first Pack player honored since 1999 on the first team, and the first forward from NC State since 1991. Also for NC State, freshman Santiago Fusilier was named to the first ever ACC All-Freshmen squad. Just last week, keeper Jorge Gonzalez was named to the ACC All-Tournament team, the second straight year a Pack keeper was named. During the ACC Tournament, Gonzalez racked up 16 saves and posted a GAA of 0.90, in helping the Pack reach the semifinals.
Versus Ranked Opponents: With ODU being ranked #10 in Soccer America's Top-25 this week, it marks the ninth game this season NC State had faced a ranked opponent. NC State is currently 2-4-2 against ranked teams. NC State downed No. 24 Clemson 2-0 and No. 7 Virginia, and had tied North Carolina twice this year when UNC was ranked in the top-10.
NC State Perfect at Method Road This Season: For the first time in school history, NC State finished the season undefeated at Method Road, going 8-0-1. NC State outscored its opponents 19-4 on the home field this season, and recorded six shutouts. More impressive is the fact that NC State finished its home ACC schedule at 2-0-1. NC State defeated two ranked ACC opponents, and tied another. The Wolfpack defeated No. 24 Clemson 2-0, then No. 7 Virginia 1-0 ,in back-to-back weekends. NC State also tied No. 3 North Carolina 1-1. Method Road opened in 1984, and before this season six different squads finished with one loss. The eight home wins is also the most since the 1997 season. NC State is now 130-45-14 (.725) at Method Road all-time.
King Leads the Offense: It's no secret NC State's offense often involves sophomore Aaron King. As a freshman King led NC State with seven goals and 22 points, and was second on the squad with eight assists. This season is no different, as King has bettered his numbers from a year ago. King is tied for the ACC lead with his 11 goals, while no other NC State player has more then two. King is also tied atop the ACC with 26 points, more then double the next Wolfpack player. In addition, King has taken 67 shots, the next best mark for NC State is 20. King's five game-winners this season is tops in the ACC. He has three games with two goals apiece (Georgia Southern, Campbell and UNC Greensboro), and NC State is 7-1 in games in which he scores.
Gonzalez Leads the Defense: Redshirt-Sophomore Jorge Gonzalez had big shoes to fill coming into the 2003 season. Gonzalez was taking over in the Wolfpack nets for four-year starter Mitchell Watson, who is the school's leader in career saves with 443. Watson played ever minute of his final two season, so Gonzalez's first minutes in the Wolfpack goal did not come till this year. He has started all 19 games this year, playing 99.3 percent of the minutes in goal. Gonzalez currently has a GAA of 1.13, and 100 saves on the season. His seven shutouts are the most for a NC State keeper since 1989, and his four straight shutouts during this season is the best such streak since 1987. Gonzalez and the defense only allowed two opponents (out of 19) to score over two goals, 89 percent of its opponents scored two goals or less, the best mark since the 1991 season.
Gannon Having Senior Year to Remember: Senior captain Chris Gannon is having the kind of senior season every player dreams of. Gannon has started all 19 contests this year, playing now as a defensive center midfielder. Gannon ranks third on the Pack in both points (7) and assists (3), and is tied for second with his two goals. Perhaps NC State's biggest goal of the season was Gannon's header off of a corner kick in the tie with #3 North Carolina. One of his best games of the season was against Howard when he had one goal and one assist. NC State has only one other senior on the roster, Hiroki Kawase. Kawase has seen action in 13 games this season, notching seven starts. He scored his first career goal in the Pack's win over Charlotte, the goal was the game-winner.
Argentina Flare: Last year as a freshman Federico Peria had had one of the top offensive seasons for NC State finishing with three goals and a team-high 11 assists for 17 points. The NC State coaching staff once again went recruiting to Argentina, and brought in two more players this season that have fared well, junior Martin Cini and freshman Santiago Fusilier. Cini has been hampered by a knee injury all season, but finished the regular season with two goals and two assists for six points. The outside midfielder, notched the assist on both NC State goals in the win over UNCG. Fusilier has been a big part of both the offense and defense this season, controlling play from his center midfield position. Fusilier has 12 starts this year, missing time at the beginning of the season with leg injury. He had NCSU's first goal in the Clemson win, and was also named to the All-Freshmen team. Peria himself was limited early on with a groin injury, but still led NC State with eight assists and is second with 14 points. Peria scored two goals in the win over Howard.
Pack Shines in Big Four Tournament: For the first time in the history of the Big Four Tournament, which dates back to 1999, NC State recorded wins over both Charlotte and UNC Greensboro in the two weekend games. NC State first shutout Charlotte 2-0, then used two Aaron King goals to down UNC Greensboro 2-1. Prior to this season, NC State owned a 1-7 record in the event and had been outscored 20-6.
Probable Starters
* Jorge Gonzalez (#1 - SO - GK): Starting goalkeeper ... Named to ACC's All-Tournament Team ... Started all 19 games this season, playing 99.3 percent of the total minute ... Posts a GAA of 1.13 and has 100 saves ... Sevenshutouts this year, most for Pack keeper since 1989 ... Had string of four in a row this season.
*?Chris Catlett (#2 - JR - D): One of two sweepers ... Has 13 starts and 16 games played this year ... Has started the last 13 games, after playing sparingly early on ... Recorded an assist in win over #24 Clemson.
*?John Queeley (#3 - SO - D): Starting right marking back ... Has started 18 contests, only missing one game due to red card ... Has one goal and two assists this year ... Scored first goal off direct kick against Gardner-Webb.
* Chris Gannon (#6 - SR - MF): Starting defensive midfield ... Senior captain ... Started all 19 games ... Tied for second on team with 2 goals, and third on team in points (7) and assists (3) ...?Headed in Pack's goal in tie with #3 North Carolina ... Had one goal and one assist versus Howard ...?Had assist on game-winner on Senior Day.
* Bryant Salter (#9 - SO - F): Forward who has been hampered with a hamstring injury ...?Limited to 12 games this season ... Has one goal and two assists ... Had six goals and three assists for 15 points as a freshman last year.
* Federico Peria (#10 - SO - F): Starting forward this season ...?Leads NC State with eight assists ... Ranks second with 14 points and three goals ... Scored two goals against Howard ... Missed five starts with a groin injury.
*?Martin Cini (#11 - JR - MF): Starting outside left midfielder ... Junior transfer ... Started 17 of 18 games he played in ... Bothered by knee injury ... Has two goals and two assists for six points ...?Assisted on both goals against UNC Greensboro.
*?Aaron King (#12 - SO - F): Starting forward ... Named All-ACC First-Team ... Started all 19 games ... Tied for lead in ACC with 11 goals and 26 points ...?Second on Pack with four assists ... Leads ACC with five game-winning goals ... Three games with two goals ... Pack is 7-1 when he scores ... Had two goals and two assists in season opener.
*?Rami Ghanayem (#14 - FR - MF): Starting outside right midfielder ... Started 12 of the 18 games he has played ... Has started the past eight games ... Has an assist against Howard ...?Local product from Durham (Riverside).
*?Justin Branch (#18 - JR - D): Starting left marking back ...?Started all 19 contests ... Notched two assists in season-opening win over Georgia Southern ... Local product from Cary (Apex).
*?Santiago Fusilier (#20 - FR - MF): Starting center midfielder ... Named to ACC All-Freshmen Team ...?Freshman with the most playing experience ... Started 13 of 14 contests he played in ...?Missed time with injury and red/yellow cards ...?Has one goal and one assist ...?Scored in win over #24 Clemson and assisted on Pack's goal against #7 Virginia.
Key Reserves
* Matt Durrant (#0 - SO - GK): Back-up goalkeeper ...?Seen action in just one game, 12 minutes at Duke.
* Joey Bracker (#4 - FR - F): Has played in both the midfield and at forward ...?Played in 11 games, with one start.
* Matthew Lytle (#5 - FR - D): Out with a knee injury since the Gardner-Webb game ...?Started three of first four games.
* Hiroki Kawase (#8 - SR - MF): Reserve midfielder ...?One of just two seniors ...?Started seven games this year and played in 13 ...?Scored first career goal against Charlotte, game-winner.
* Casey Conner (#16 - FR - MF): Reserve outside midfielder ... Has played in 11 games ... 2 starts.
* David Suffern (#17 - FR - D): Reserve defender ... Seen action in 15 games, with 4 starts ... Local product from Chapel Hill (Charles E. Jordan).
* Chiedu Chukwumah (#21 - JR - D): Limited to just five games this season due to knee injury ...?Last played in game at Duke ... Had started 30 of 32 games his first two seasons.
* Kyle Fragakis (#23 - SO - D): One of two starting sweepers ...?Out for remainder of season after tearing his ACL against UNC Wednesday ... Started 17 games he has played in ...?Missed one game (Gardner-Webb) due to illness.
* Chris Wheaton (#25 - FR - F): Back-up forward ...?Played in all 19 games with two starts ...?Scored goal against Campbell.
