A New Era Begins Friday Evening

August 24, 2017

Tickets | Waze Directions | Live Stats | Match Notes | Watch Live

RALEIGH – A new era of NC State men's soccer officially begins on Friday evening when the Wolfpack, under the direction of new head coach George Kiefer, hosts Florida Atlantic in its season opener. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. from Dail Soccer Stadium.

FRIDAY PROMOTIONS
Salvation Army Backpack Drive: bring new or gently-used backpacks for donation to receive a discounted admission ($3) to the match.
Student Wolfpack Club Minute Event.
Postmatch autugraphs with select Wolfpack players.
Giveaways: 300 vuvuzelas and 200 men's soccer tee shirts.

SECOND EXHIBITION RECAP
NC State picked up an impressive 4-1 victory at No. 24 UConn on Aug. 19 in its final exhibition contest of the 2017 season.

The Wolfpack looked up at a 1-0 deficit entering halftime, but outshot the Huskies 8-3 in the second half with four shots finding the back of the net. Junior Tanner Roberts (69', 80') scored from two headers to give the Pack an advantage it would never relinquish. Freshman David Loera (86') and junior Christoph Schneuwly (90') put the match away in the later stages. Jan-Luca Ahillen registered two assists in the match while Simon Blotko also chipped in one.

.@tygabarra11 and the team enjoyed Saturday's 4-1 win at No. 24 UConn, but aren't complacent as Friday's season opener approaches. #GoPack pic.twitter.com/DwLwxsGcH9
— NCSU Men's Soccer (@PackMensSoccer) August 23, 2017

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.

NC State will host 11 regular-season matches at home this season, the most since the team hosted 12 during the 2014 season.

SCOUTING THE OWLS
-Last season, FAU posted a 4-10-1 record.
-The Owls are in the first season under new head coach Joey Worthen.

SERIES HISTORY
-Friday's match marks the third meeting between NC State and Florida Atlantic.
-The Wolfpack leads the series 2-0.
-In the last meeting, NC State won 1-0 in Raleigh on Nov. 2, 2010.

#GoPack | @PackMensSoccer

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jan-Luca Ahillen

Simon Blotko

David Loera

Tanner Roberts

Christoph Schneuwly