Wolfpack to Host Appalachian State in Sunday Exhibition

Sunday, August 13

Raleigh, NC

7 PM

NC State

Appalachian State (EXH)

Wolfpack to Host Appalachian State in Sunday Exhibition

8/11/2017 2:23:00 PM | Men's Soccer

@packmenssoccer

Kickoff set for 7 p.m. from Dail Soccer Stadium

August 11, 2017

PARKING DIRECTIONS | SEASON TICKETS ON SALE! | Match Notes

RALEIGH – Under the leadership of new head coach George Kiefer, the NC State men's soccer team takes to the field for the first time this season on Sunday evening against Appalachian State in an exhibition match. Kickoff between the Wolfpack and Mountaineers is set for 7 p.m. from Dail Soccer Stadium.

MATCHDAY PROMOTIONS
Sunday's match will be free. Fans can pick up a coupon at the marketing table inside the stadium for discounted admission to the home match against Longwood on Tuesday, September 12.

WELCOME TO THE PACK
In addition to a new coaching staff, NC State welcomes 11 newcomers to its roster for the 2017 season. This group of signees was ranked No. 9 nationally by TopDrawerSoccer.

Goalkeepers: Vincent Durand, Leon Krapf
Defenders: Mac Gourlay, David Norris, Christoph Schneuwly
Midfielders: Jose Morales Jr., Anthony Ruggiero, Brad Sweeney
Forwards: David Loera, Emanuel Perez, Willy Ramirez

READY FOR A CHALLENGE
The United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) released the first top-25 poll of the 2017 season on August 3. NC State's schedule this season features matches against No. 2 Wake Forest, No. 4 UNC-CH, No. 5 Clemson, No. 8 Syracuse, No. 9 Louisville, No. 10 Notre Dame, No. 13 Virginia, and No. 24 UConn.

Not including the exhibition opener, NC State will host 11 regular-season matches at home this season, the most since the team hosted 12 during the 2014 season.

STEPHEN ELIAS WINS GOLD WITH TEAM USA
Returning player Stephen Elias had a very productive summer, winning a gold medal with Team USA at the 2017 Maccabiah Games in Israel. Elias accumulated three goals and three assists throughout the competition as his team won five matches and lost just one.

THE RETURNERS
Even factoring in the addition of a large freshman class joining the Pack for the 2017 season, NC State returns 80 percent of its goals, 80 percent of its assists, and 73 percent of its shots from a year ago.

Returning defender Simon Blotko is pleased with the first two days of training. #accmsoccer ???? pic.twitter.com/1zB8kUI7CQ
— NCSU Men's Soccer (@PackMensSoccer) August 10, 2017

THE GOALKEEPERS
On the other side of the field, none of NC State's three goalkeepers have yet played a minute in an official NCAA match.

GREAT SUMMER FOR TAB
Former Wolfpack player Tab Ramos also had a productive summer, leading his United States U20 National Team to the 2017 World Cup in South Korea. The NC State star turned manager helped his side win Group F and defeat New Zealand in the Round of 16 before ultimately falling to Venezuela after extra time in the quarterfinals.

Day 2?? complete. @TRoberts20 on how a strong spring has helped the team heading into the 2017 season. ???? pic.twitter.com/Bzv0a02OeS
— NCSU Men's Soccer (@PackMensSoccer) August 10, 2017

SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS
-Appalachian State returns nine starters from last season's team which posted a 5-9-4 record.
-The Mountaineers do not return their four leading scorers from last season. Just two players who scored in 2016 are on the roster heading into 2017.

#GoPack | @PackMensSoccer