The North Carolina Football Club has over 90 soccer players with ties to the club’s NCFC Youth Academy or North Carolina FC U23 team taking part in men’s college soccer this season. This week featured an in-state matchup between two college soccer powerhouses as well as an Academy product leading his team to a big upset in the NCAA D-III ranks.
No. 2 Wake Forest Outduels No. 4 UNC
In a meeting between two of the top college programs in the country, Wake Forest topped UNC 2-1 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The highly-anticipated match saw Wake Forest jump out to a 1-0 lead just before halftime. The Tar Heels responded with a goal right after the break, but a 66th minute goal from the Demon Deacons sealed the victory. Wake Forest has now won eight matches in a row with two-straight victories over top-10 opponents. NCFC Youth Academy product Hank Gauger has featured as a substitute for Wake in both big wins.
McCartney, Emory Upset No. 1 Chicago
Jason McCartney (NCFC Youth Academy) helped lead Emory to a major 3-0 upset victory over NCAA D-III No. 1 University of Chicago. McCartney provided the assist for the final goal in arguably Emory’s biggest win in program history. McCartney is having a strong season with the Eagles, as he leads the team with seven goals and two assists.
No. 16 Duke Nabs Two Victories
Duke was led by contributions from Brian White (NCFC U23) and Will Pulisic (NCFC U23) in a 2-0 victory over Pitt and a 2-1 upset over No. 10 Georgetown. White notched goals in both matches, increasing his season total to eight. Pulisic anchored the team in goal, earning the shutout over Pitt and a making a career-high eight saves against Georgetown. Cody Brinkman (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23) and Colby Agu (NCFC Youth Academy) also featured in the victories, while facing off against former Academy and U23 teammate Josh Coan from Pitt. Duke has now moved up to No. 16 in the latest national poll.
NC State Topples Syracuse
NC State picked up an important ACC victory, taking down Syracuse 2-1 over the weekend. In the Wolfpack’s victory, former NCFC U23 man Ade Taiwo recorded an assist.
No. 15 UNCW Downs Drexel 3-0
UNC Wilmington topped visiting Drexel 3-0 over the weekend with another strong performance. Nine of UNCW’s NCFC Youth Academy members saw the field in the victory, as Ryan Cretens picked up the shutout in goal and Kalvin Kromer added an assist. The Seahawks remain on top of the Colonial Athletic Association standings with an unblemished 4-0 record.
Additional Notes:
- Bardia Asefnia (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23) earned his fourth shutout of the year in UMass’s 5-0 victory over Duquesne.
- Matthew Zinner (NCFC Youth Academy) and No. 4 Tufts University (NCAA D-III) added a 4-0 victory over Middlebury. Zinner helps run a backline that has accounted for nine shutouts this season.
- Akeem Bradford notched his first goal of the season in a 2-1 victory for Valparaiso over Evansville.
- Baboucarr Nije and Sheriff Secka led NC Wesleyan to its sixth straight win, as the Fighting Bishops downed Averett 3-0 and Berea 9-0. Nije tallied three goals and one assist between the matches, while Secka added two assists. The duo is leading NC Wesleyan’s attack with a combined 11 goals and eight assists on the season.
- Steeve Pouna and No. 6 Baker University (NAIA) picked up a 5-2 victory over Culver-Stockton College.
Photo from Emory Athletics
Rankings based off Oct. 10th United Soccer Coaches Poll
The North Carolina Football Club has over 90 soccer players with ties to the club’s NCFC Youth Academy or North Carolina FC U23 team taking part in men’s college soccer this season. This week featured an in-state matchup between two college soccer powerhouses as well as an Academy product leading his team to a big upset in the NCAA D-III ranks.
No. 2 Wake Forest Outduels No. 4 UNC
In a meeting between two of the top college programs in the country, Wake Forest topped UNC 2-1 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The highly-anticipated match saw Wake Forest jump out to a 1-0 lead just before halftime. The Tar Heels responded with a goal right after the break, but a 66th minute goal from the Demon Deacons sealed the victory. Wake Forest has now won eight matches in a row with two-straight victories over top-10 opponents. NCFC Youth Academy product Hank Gauger has featured as a substitute for Wake in both big wins.
McCartney, Emory Upset No. 1 Chicago
Jason McCartney (NCFC Youth Academy) helped lead Emory to a major 3-0 upset victory over NCAA D-III No. 1 University of Chicago. McCartney provided the assist for the final goal in arguably Emory’s biggest win in program history. McCartney is having a strong season with the Eagles, as he leads the team with seven goals and two assists.
No. 16 Duke Nabs Two Victories
Duke was led by contributions from Brian White (NCFC U23) and Will Pulisic (NCFC U23) in a 2-0 victory over Pitt and a 2-1 upset over No. 10 Georgetown. White notched goals in both matches, increasing his season total to eight. Pulisic anchored the team in goal, earning the shutout over Pitt and a making a career-high eight saves against Georgetown. Cody Brinkman (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23) and Colby Agu (NCFC Youth Academy) also featured in the victories, while facing off against former Academy and U23 teammate Josh Coan from Pitt. Duke has now moved up to No. 16 in the latest national poll.
NC State Topples Syracuse
NC State picked up an important ACC victory, taking down Syracuse 2-1 over the weekend. In the Wolfpack’s victory, former NCFC U23 man Ade Taiwo recorded an assist.
No. 15 UNCW Downs Drexel 3-0
UNC Wilmington topped visiting Drexel 3-0 over the weekend with another strong performance. Nine of UNCW’s NCFC Youth Academy members saw the field in the victory, as Ryan Cretens picked up the shutout in goal and Kalvin Kromer added an assist. The Seahawks remain on top of the Colonial Athletic Association standings with an unblemished 4-0 record.
Additional Notes:
- Bardia Asefnia (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23) earned his fourth shutout of the year in UMass’s 5-0 victory over Duquesne.
- Matthew Zinner (NCFC Youth Academy) and No. 4 Tufts University (NCAA D-III) added a 4-0 victory over Middlebury. Zinner helps run a backline that has accounted for nine shutouts this season.
- Akeem Bradford notched his first goal of the season in a 2-1 victory for Valparaiso over Evansville.
- Baboucarr Nije and Sheriff Secka led NC Wesleyan to its sixth straight win, as the Fighting Bishops downed Averett 3-0 and Berea 9-0. Nije tallied three goals and one assist between the matches, while Secka added two assists. The duo is leading NC Wesleyan’s attack with a combined 11 goals and eight assists on the season.
- Steeve Pouna and No. 6 Baker University (NAIA) picked up a 5-2 victory over Culver-Stockton College.
Photo from Emory Athletics
Rankings based off Oct. 10th United Soccer Coaches Poll