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, several Academy and U23 members lit up the scoreboard for their local teams, combining for nine goals and 11 assists.
Hank Gauger Tallies for No. 2 Wake Forest
Academy graduate Hank Gauger scored his first of the season in Wake Forest’s 2-0 victory over Elon. Gauger iced the match for Wake with a strike in the closing stages of the match to give the Demon Deacons its 11th-straight win.
Lucas del Rosario’s Brace Sees No. 4 UNC Past Old Dominion
Lucas del Rosario (NCFC Youth Academy) scored two goals for UNC, including an overtime game winner to give the Tar Heels a 2-1 win over Old Dominion. Del Rosario’s game winner was assisted by fellow Academy graduate Jeremy Kelly.
Brian White Strikes Again for No. 15 Duke
Brian White, a former NCFC U23 player, continues to score for Duke. He netted the Blue Devils’ lone goal against Clemson for his ninth tally of the year. He’s now tied for 17th in the NCAA D-I scoring lists.
Perez, Taiwo, Sparks Guide NC State Past UNCW
In a matchup with 18 former Academy players on the rosters, NC State edged UNC Wilmington 2-1 in an exciting contest in Raleigh. Recent Academy graduate Manny Perez provided assists on both Wolfpack goals – scored by former NCFC U23 players Clayton Sparks and Ade Taiwo. Kalvin Kromer (NCFC Youth Academy) led the Seahawks' offense and scored from 25 yards out to tie the match. However, Taiwo recorded the game-winning goal in the closing stages of the match to win it for NC State.
Walden, Agu Pace Elon to 4-0 Victory over Northeastern
A pair of former Academy members led Elon to a resounding 4-0 victory over Northeastern. John Walden notched a goal and two assists while Elijah Agu added two assists in the victory.
Additional Notes:
- Bardia Asefnia (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23) added another shutout in goal in UMass’ 2-0 win over La Salle. He’s up to five shutouts this season.
- Phillip Goodrum (NCFC Youth Academy) tallied an assist in UNC Wilmington’s 2-1 loss against the College of Charleston.
- Matt Zinner (NCFC Youth Academy) recorded an assist in Tufts University’s 3-0 win over Keene State. Additionally, Zinner helps run a backline that hasn’t allowed a goal in 478 minutes. Tufts is currently ranked fourth in NCAA D-III and is unbeaten in five matches.
- Josh Coan (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23) and Pittsburgh have turned the corner and are surging into the final weeks of the regular season. Pitt earned a 3-2 win over Penn State and followed it up with a 1-0 victory to upset No. 7 Notre Dame on the road. The Panthers have won five of its last six matches.
- NCFC U23 teammates Baboucarr Njie and Sheriff Secka continue to enjoy a great run of form with NC Wesleyan (NCAA D-III). Nije added an assist in his team’s 3-0 win over William Peace. The Fighting Bishops are on a nine-match winning streak.
- Steeve Pouna (NCFC U23) and No. 6 Baker University (NAIA) defeated Evangel 5-1. Pouna had an assist in the victory.
- Chase Roade (NCFC U23) scored his first goal of the season in UC Davis’ 2-1 win over Cal State Fullerton.
- Brandon Creed (NCFC U23) added a goal in Temple’s 3-1 win over New Jersey Institute of Technology.
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, several Academy and U23 members lit up the scoreboard for their local teams, combining for nine goals and 11 assists.
Hank Gauger Tallies for No. 2 Wake Forest
Academy graduate Hank Gauger scored his first of the season in Wake Forest’s 2-0 victory over Elon. Gauger iced the match for Wake with a strike in the closing stages of the match to give the Demon Deacons its 11th-straight win.
Lucas del Rosario’s Brace Sees No. 4 UNC Past Old Dominion
Lucas del Rosario (NCFC Youth Academy) scored two goals for UNC, including an overtime game winner to give the Tar Heels a 2-1 win over Old Dominion. Del Rosario’s game winner was assisted by fellow Academy graduate Jeremy Kelly.
Brian White Strikes Again for No. 15 Duke
Brian White, a former NCFC U23 player, continues to score for Duke. He netted the Blue Devils’ lone goal against Clemson for his ninth tally of the year. He’s now tied for 17th in the NCAA D-I scoring lists.
Perez, Taiwo, Sparks Guide NC State Past UNCW
In a matchup with 18 former Academy players on the rosters, NC State edged UNC Wilmington 2-1 in an exciting contest in Raleigh. Recent Academy graduate Manny Perez provided assists on both Wolfpack goals – scored by former NCFC U23 players Clayton Sparks and Ade Taiwo. Kalvin Kromer (NCFC Youth Academy) led the Seahawks’ offense and scored from 25 yards out to tie the match. However, Taiwo recorded the game-winning goal in the closing stages of the match to win it for NC State.
Walden, Agu Pace Elon to 4-0 Victory over Northeastern
A pair of former Academy members led Elon to a resounding 4-0 victory over Northeastern. John Walden notched a goal and two assists while Elijah Agu added two assists in the victory.
Additional Notes:
- Bardia Asefnia (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23) added another shutout in goal in UMass’ 2-0 win over La Salle. He’s up to five shutouts this season.
- Phillip Goodrum (NCFC Youth Academy) tallied an assist in UNC Wilmington’s 2-1 loss against the College of Charleston.
- Matt Zinner (NCFC Youth Academy) recorded an assist in Tufts University’s 3-0 win over Keene State. Additionally, Zinner helps run a backline that hasn’t allowed a goal in 478 minutes. Tufts is currently ranked fourth in NCAA D-III and is unbeaten in five matches.
- Josh Coan (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23) and Pittsburgh have turned the corner and are surging into the final weeks of the regular season. Pitt earned a 3-2 win over Penn State and followed it up with a 1-0 victory to upset No. 7 Notre Dame on the road. The Panthers have won five of its last six matches.
- NCFC U23 teammates Baboucarr Njie and Sheriff Secka continue to enjoy a great run of form with NC Wesleyan (NCAA D-III). Nije added an assist in his team’s 3-0 win over William Peace. The Fighting Bishops are on a nine-match winning streak.
- Steeve Pouna (NCFC U23) and No. 6 Baker University (NAIA) defeated Evangel 5-1. Pouna had an assist in the victory.
- Chase Roade (NCFC U23) scored his first goal of the season in UC Davis’ 2-1 win over Cal State Fullerton.
- Brandon Creed (NCFC U23) added a goal in Temple’s 3-1 win over New Jersey Institute of Technology.