North Carolina State University Athletics
FRESHMEN XI: Part 2
10/18/2016 2:58:00 PM | Women's Soccer
RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State women's soccer team's freshman class has not only brought an injection of youth into the program, but a will to win. NC State is currently in a breakout season and passing milestones that haven't been hit in recent history.
Freshmen XI is a four-part series which gives a behind-the-scenes look at how the team's 11 freshmen are adjusting to college and making a #STATEMENT on the field. Currently five freshmen hold starting roles, eight have recorded a goal or an assist and 10 have earned playing time.
Part 1
Part 2:
NC State's budding pipeline with the world-class Bayern Munich youth academy has brought in freshmen Kristina Schuster and Ricarda Walkling for the 2016 season.
The pipeline started in 2014, as the Pack welcomed Franziska Jaser into the program. After winning the U20 World Cup with Germany, Jaser started all 17 remaining matches with the Pack. The defender helped improve the side, anchoring the defense and occasionally playing in the midfield. Jaser recorded three assists and logged 1,508 minutes during the year before leaving the program to sign a professional contract in Germany.
The improved play from the German players has continued in 2016, as Walkling and Schuster have traveled across the world to be part of the program's swift rise.
"Ricci and Krissi bring in a different level and approach," said head coach Tim Santoro. "They come from a high-level type of environment and their approach to training and games rubs off on our team."
"It's great for the team to be around players from a different background, and when they get on the field, it's the same sport. They've been great additions for us, on and off the field."
While the transition hasn't always been easy, the two foreign-born players have adjusted smoothly with the help of the team.
"It's one of the hardest things to do because we are from the other side of the world, but everyone made it so easy for us," said Walkling. "We are not just the Germans, but we are with the team. They do a lot with us and help make it feel like home."
The two have adjusted quickly to the team and the style of college soccer, helping the team jump into the national rankings and earn ACC wins.
Walkling has anchored a solid attacking midfield unit, while Schuster has excelled as the team's right back. The two are both ranked in Top Drawer Soccer's Top-100 Freshmen. Schuster leads the team at No. 14 and Walkling checked in at No. 24 on the mid-season list.
The duo instantly provided a spark for the attack, as they combined to assist Jackie Stengel for the team's first goal of the year - only 13 minutes into their debuts.
Ricarda Walkling
Walkling has made a big impact on the scoresheet this season. She's tallied a team-leading 11 points on three goals and a team-high five assists. Her assists put her in an elite group within the conference, as she is tied for sixth in the ACC in assists.
Walkling has primarily played in the attacking midfield, but she's also dropped back into a central midfield role at times during the season.
Kristina Schuster:
Schuster has been a force for the Pack along the right flank. She's tied for second on the team with four assists – all of which have come from getting forward on the right side. She's scored once via a first-time touch from 20 yards out that helped the Pack earn a point on the road at Louisville.
Schuster's defense has earned her national recognition, as she was named to Top Drawer Soccer's Team of the Week after the upset over then No. 7 North Carolina. She's also shut down opposing attackers in the ACC and helped the backline earn five shutouts this season.
Overall, they've embraced the challenge of rebuilding the NC State women's soccer program and enjoyed seeing the success from this year's results.
"I want to be part of a team that can become something special," said Walkling. "It might not mean we are the best team this year, but we can develop into that."
"It gives us a bit of pride," added Schuster on this season's success so far. "It's cool to do things others haven't been able to in years before. Especially when you see how much it means to the older players on the team."
Freshmen XI is a four-part series which gives a behind-the-scenes look at how the team's 11 freshmen are adjusting to college and making a #STATEMENT on the field. Currently five freshmen hold starting roles, eight have recorded a goal or an assist and 10 have earned playing time.
Part 1
Part 2:
NC State's budding pipeline with the world-class Bayern Munich youth academy has brought in freshmen Kristina Schuster and Ricarda Walkling for the 2016 season.
The pipeline started in 2014, as the Pack welcomed Franziska Jaser into the program. After winning the U20 World Cup with Germany, Jaser started all 17 remaining matches with the Pack. The defender helped improve the side, anchoring the defense and occasionally playing in the midfield. Jaser recorded three assists and logged 1,508 minutes during the year before leaving the program to sign a professional contract in Germany.
The improved play from the German players has continued in 2016, as Walkling and Schuster have traveled across the world to be part of the program's swift rise.
"Ricci and Krissi bring in a different level and approach," said head coach Tim Santoro. "They come from a high-level type of environment and their approach to training and games rubs off on our team."
"It's great for the team to be around players from a different background, and when they get on the field, it's the same sport. They've been great additions for us, on and off the field."
While the transition hasn't always been easy, the two foreign-born players have adjusted smoothly with the help of the team.
"It's one of the hardest things to do because we are from the other side of the world, but everyone made it so easy for us," said Walkling. "We are not just the Germans, but we are with the team. They do a lot with us and help make it feel like home."
The two have adjusted quickly to the team and the style of college soccer, helping the team jump into the national rankings and earn ACC wins.
Walkling has anchored a solid attacking midfield unit, while Schuster has excelled as the team's right back. The two are both ranked in Top Drawer Soccer's Top-100 Freshmen. Schuster leads the team at No. 14 and Walkling checked in at No. 24 on the mid-season list.
The duo instantly provided a spark for the attack, as they combined to assist Jackie Stengel for the team's first goal of the year - only 13 minutes into their debuts.
GOALL! @jackiestengel buries the first goal of 2016 off a beautiful buildup from @ricciwalkling and @krissischuster pic.twitter.com/sq3DWHOY2N
— PackWSoccer?? (@PackWSoccer) August 19, 2016
Ricarda Walkling
Walkling has made a big impact on the scoresheet this season. She's tallied a team-leading 11 points on three goals and a team-high five assists. Her assists put her in an elite group within the conference, as she is tied for sixth in the ACC in assists.
Walkling has primarily played in the attacking midfield, but she's also dropped back into a central midfield role at times during the season.
Kristina Schuster:
Schuster has been a force for the Pack along the right flank. She's tied for second on the team with four assists – all of which have come from getting forward on the right side. She's scored once via a first-time touch from 20 yards out that helped the Pack earn a point on the road at Louisville.
Schuster's defense has earned her national recognition, as she was named to Top Drawer Soccer's Team of the Week after the upset over then No. 7 North Carolina. She's also shut down opposing attackers in the ACC and helped the backline earn five shutouts this season.
Overall, they've embraced the challenge of rebuilding the NC State women's soccer program and enjoyed seeing the success from this year's results.
"I want to be part of a team that can become something special," said Walkling. "It might not mean we are the best team this year, but we can develop into that."
"It gives us a bit of pride," added Schuster on this season's success so far. "It's cool to do things others haven't been able to in years before. Especially when you see how much it means to the older players on the team."
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
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