Wolfpack Opens NCAA Championship Thursday at #25 Old Dominion

November 15, 2017

Match Notes | Live Stats | Live Video

RALEIGH – In just the first season under new head coach George Kiefer and his staff, the NC State men's soccer team opens NCAA Championship play Thursday evening with a first-round match at No. 25 Old Dominion. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. from the ODU Soccer Complex in Norfolk, Va., with a live video broadcast available on ODUSports.com.

KIEFER'S NCAA STREAK
First-year head coach George Kiefer has now qualified for 11 NCAA Championships as a head coach (10 at USF). Including his time with the Bulls and the 2017 season with the Wolfpack, he has led his teams to the postseason in 10 of the last 11 years.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The winner of the NC State - Old Dominion match will play at national No. 2 seed Indiana (15-0-5) at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 19.

.@CoachKiefer speaks after Tuesday training about what this opportunity means to the program. #GoPack #ncaasoccer pic.twitter.com/HN8INE26F0
— NC State MSOC ???? (@PackMensSoccer) November 14, 2017

NC STATE IN THE POSTSEASON
The Wolfpack's selection into the 2017 NCAA Championship field marks the first appearance since 2009 and the 14th trip to the tournament in program history. Overall, the Wolfpack is 5-12-2 in the NCAA Championship and has advanced to the second round on seven occasions.

NC State's last victory in the NCAA Championship came in 1994, when the Wolfpack won 1-0 at South Carolina in the first round.

ACC FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Wolfpack freshman Manny Perez was named ACC Freshman of the Year on Nov. 7, becoming the first NC State player to earn the honor since Blas Cardozo in 1992. He also earned a spot on the All-ACC Second Team as the only first-year player on the squad.

Classmate David Loera also earned an honor from the league office on the same day, claiming a spot on the All-Freshman Team.

INDIVIDUAL ACADEMIC ACCOLADE
For the second consecutive season, senior Julius Duchscherer of the NC State men's soccer team has earned first team CoSIDA Academic All-District honors.

A senior midfielder carrying a perfect 4.00 GPA in Business Administration, Duchscherer has helped the Wolfpack (8-5-4) achieve a strong season that includes four wins and two draws with teams ranked within the top 50 of the latest RPI report. The native of Hadamar, Germany, scored four goals (two match winners) in 11 appearances this season, bringing his career total to 18 through 43 matches played.

NOTABLE ACC RECORD
In new head coach George Kiefer's first season in Raleigh, the Wolfpack finished the ACC schedule with a 3-3-2 record and tied for seventh place in the league standings with Notre Dame to achieve the best finish since 2009.

SCOUTING THE MONARCHS (12-5-2)
-Conference USA champions.
-10-2-2 at home.
-On a four-match winning streak and haven't conceded in four matches.
-Very balanced scoring: five players have scored at least three goals.
-No. 36 offense in the nation (1.74 goals scored per match).
-Common opponents: Beat App State 2-1 ... Won 3-0 at FAU ... Lost 2-1 in 2OT at UNC.
-Seven players earned postseason honors from CUSA.

SERIES HISTORY
-Old Dominion leads the series 2-0-0.
-Last meeting: NC State fell 2-1 at Old Dominion to open the 2005 season.
-The teams met in Norfolk, Va., during the first round of the 2003 NCAA Championship. Old Dominion earned a 6-3 win.

#GoPack | @PackMensSoccer

Wolfpack Opens NCAA Championship Thursday at #25 Old Dominion

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Julius Duchscherer

David Loera

Manny Perez

Wolfpack Opens NCAA Championship Thursday at #25 Old Dominion

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Julius Duchscherer

David Loera

Manny Perez

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