North Carolina State University Athletics
PEELER: Lassiter Leads Pack In Scoring
11/6/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 6, 2010
BY TIM PEELER
RALEIGH, N.C. - Throughout his four years as a starter for NC State's soccer team, Tyler Lassiter has been all over the field.
He's played right back, center back and, now, his senior season, forward. As the Wolfpack's top scorer this season, with six goals and five assists, he doesn't mind all the switches.
"I probably prefer playing centerback the most," said the senior from Wake Forest, N.C. "But In don't mind playing the front because you get the chance to move forward and there are more goal-scoring opportunities."
Lassiter has been a constant in the Wolfpack lineup since he arrived four years ago. He's started all 70 games in which he has played during his career, heading into today's regular-season finale against No. 12 Virginia, the defending NCAA champion. Gametime is slated for 7 p.m. at the Dail Soccer Field.
"When I was being recruited, they kind of told me that I would have the opportunity to play as long as I continued to play hard, the way I did in high school and club soccer," said Lassiter, an all-state performer at Wake Forest-Rolesville High School and a member of '88 CASL Elite team that won a 2003 national club championship. "I came in, worked hard and did what they expected.
"They liked what they saw, I guess."
Lassiter certainly has been a consistent contributor for NC State, the only school he seriously considered attending. He wanted to stay close to home so his parents, Rick and Lisa Lassiter, could see him play. They have missed only a handful of games since he earned his first start as a freshman.
"I have been a Wolfpack fan my whole life," Lassiter said. "I think it started because all my friends growing up were Carolina fans, and I wanted to be different from them. I kind of like being the underdog.
"When everybody else is going one way, I like to go the other."
A sports management major with a minor in coaching education, Lassiter is on track to graduate in May, with the completion of an internship. He wants to pursue playing professional soccer, with a long-term goal of going into coaching when his playing days are over.
But he's also looking forward to being a life-long NC State fan, and doing all thing fan-like things he's missed as a student-athlete.
"I can't wait until football season comes around again, so I can tailgate," Lassiter said. "We always play on Saturdays, so we don't get a chance to go to many football games. I think that's going to be a lot of fun."
For now, however, he's concentrating on the end of his playing career. He'll join three of his teammates - Chris Zuerner, Akil DeFreitas and Lucas Carpenter - as the Wolfpack celebrates Senior Night in its final home game of the season.
"I don't know if I am going to cry because it is all over or if I'm going to be happy that I'm done," he said. "There are going to be a lot of mixed emotions."
He will be saying good-bye to a handful of teammates he grew up with, including goalkeeper Will Mackvick, forwards Watt Williams and Lucas Carpenter. They all played together on the '88 CASL Elite team and moved on to play for the Wolfpack.
"I think it will be hard to say good-bye," Lassiter said.
You may contact Tim Peeler at mailto:tim.peeler@ncsu.edu.
