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. The NCAA D-I teams are concluding conference tournaments and waiting for the NCAA Selection Show, while many teams from other divisions have already claimed conference tournament trophies and are getting set for their national tournaments this weekend.
Gauger, No. 1 Wake Forest Eye ACC Championship
Before the top-ranked Wake Forest men’s soccer team begins its NCAA Tournament journey, it’s aiming to add some hardware to its trophy case with the ACC Championship. Wake Forest advanced to the final after a 1-0 victory over Clemson in the semifinal round. Wake will face Virginia in the final this weekend. NCFC Academy graduate, Hank Gauger, has seen his playing time increase as the season has gone on. Look for the Academy graduate to provide some key minutes in what is shaping up to be a special season for the Demon Deacons.
NCFC Ties Abound on ACC Awards
In the toughest conference in the country, six players who have played with either NCFC Youth Academy or NCFC U23 were honored by the Atlantic Coast Conference. NCFC Youth Academy product and current NC State star Manny Perez headlined the group as the ACC Freshman of the Year. Perez also appeared on the All-ACC Second Team and All-ACC Freshman Team.
UNC had three players honored, as Alan Winn (NCFC U23) made the first team, Alex Comsia (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23) was selected to the third team and John Nelson (NCFC U23) was honored on the All-ACC Freshman Team. Duke had a pair of NCFC U23 players honored as well. Former U23 player Brian White made the second team, while Will Pulisic (NCFC U23) was selected to the third team and All-ACC Freshman Team.
Local Schools Set for NCAA Tournament
No. 6 UNC, No. 16 Duke and No. 28 NC State are getting primed for the NCAA Tournament. All three have seen big contributions from players with ties to NCFC and posted successful seasons. UNC closed out the regular season with another impressive campaign, losing only two matches during the regular season. The school enters the tournament as a likely favorite to return to the College Cup.
The Blue Devils had a solid year and enter the postseason with a record of 12W-4L-2D. Led by an outstanding team effort across the field, Duke certainly has the manpower and depth to make a deep NCAA run.
NC State recorded a breakout year behind first-year head coach George Keifer. The side knocked off two top-five opponents and only has one loss in its last eight matches. Look for the Wolfpack to make its first NCAA appearance since 2009, as the rejuvenated side has the potential to beat any team in the country.
CAA Schools to Conclude Conference Tournament this Week
Elon’s Elijah Agu (NCFC Youth Academy) provided a big goal for the Phoenix, netting the opening goal in the Colonial Athletic Association Championship quarterfinals. His goal, which was his team-leading fourth of the season, wasn’t enough to advance the Phoenix, as the College of Charleston picked up a 2-1 victory. Elon will wait for the NCAA Selection Show as it sits on the tournament bubble.
UNC Wilmington is still alive in the CAA Championships. After earning a first-round bye, the Seahawks will face College of Charleston in the semifinals with its sights on an automatic NCAA Tournament berth.
Charlotte Still Fighting in C-USA Championship
Charlotte added a key win over New Mexico in the C-USA quarterfinals to keep their postseason tournament hopes alive. The group is picking up steam and hasn’t lost in five matches. Charlotte will face FIU in the semifinals of the C-USA Championship on Friday.
McCartney Leads Emory to NCAA D-III Tournament
Jason McCartney (NCFC Youth Academy) has shouldered the attacking load for Emory for most of the season, leading the team with 11 goals and three assists. McCartney’s latest contribution came with an assist in Emory’s 3-2 win over Rochester in the regular season finale. Emory has qualified for the NCAA D-III Tournament and will face Dickinson College in the first round.
Additional Notes:
- Bardia Asefnia and UMass captured the regular season Atlantic 10 title and are underway in their conference tournament. Asefnia picked up another shutout in goal with a 1-0 quarterfinal win over Saint Louis.
- Brandon Millington (NCFC Youth Academy) closed out his junior season with UNC-Asheville with a goal in a 2-2 draw with Presbyterian. Brendan O’Dowd also picked up an assist in the draw.
- Matthew Zinner (NCFC Youth Academy) and No. 3 Tufts University (NCAA D-III) rolled through their conference tournament to claim the NESCAC Championship. Zinner, a key member of the backline, helped extend Tufts’ shutout streak to 10 matches. The squad has a first-round bye in the NCAA Championship and will await it’s second-round opponent.
- Gio Solis (NCFC Youth Academy) and Louisburg College (NJCAA) have won their last seven matches and claimed the Southeast District Championship. Louisburg will enter the NJCAA Men's Soccer National Tournament as the nine seed and face national powerhouses Tyler Junior College and Indian Hills Community College in pool play next week.
- Josh Coan (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23) and Pittsburgh concluded their season in the ACC Championship quarterfinals. Pittsburgh had its best season in recent history, setting numerous milestones along the way. Coan played 871 minutes across 14 matches and provided two assists on the season.
- NCFC U23 teammates Baboucarr Njie and Sheriff Secka helped NC Wesleyan (NCAA D-III) win the USA South Tournament and book their spot in the NCAA Championship. Nije provided a goal and assist in a semifinal victory against Covenant before the team grinded out a 1-0 win in the final over Maryville. The Fighting Bishops will face Oglethorpe in the first round of the NCAA Championship this weekend.
- Steeve Pouna and No. 5 Baker University have claimed an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship Tournament after advancing to the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship match. Pouna has scored five goals and recorded three assists with Baker this season.
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. The NCAA D-I teams are concluding conference tournaments and waiting for the NCAA Selection Show, while many teams from other divisions have already claimed conference tournament trophies and are getting set for their national tournaments this weekend.
Gauger, No. 1 Wake Forest Eye ACC Championship
Before the top-ranked Wake Forest men’s soccer team begins its NCAA Tournament journey, it’s aiming to add some hardware to its trophy case with the ACC Championship. Wake Forest advanced to the final after a 1-0 victory over Clemson in the semifinal round. Wake will face Virginia in the final this weekend. NCFC Academy graduate, Hank Gauger, has seen his playing time increase as the season has gone on. Look for the Academy graduate to provide some key minutes in what is shaping up to be a special season for the Demon Deacons.
NCFC Ties Abound on ACC Awards
In the toughest conference in the country, six players who have played with either NCFC Youth Academy or NCFC U23 were honored by the Atlantic Coast Conference. NCFC Youth Academy product and current NC State star Manny Perez headlined the group as the ACC Freshman of the Year. Perez also appeared on the All-ACC Second Team and All-ACC Freshman Team.
UNC had three players honored, as Alan Winn (NCFC U23) made the first team, Alex Comsia (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23) was selected to the third team and John Nelson (NCFC U23) was honored on the All-ACC Freshman Team. Duke had a pair of NCFC U23 players honored as well. Former U23 player Brian White made the second team, while Will Pulisic (NCFC U23) was selected to the third team and All-ACC Freshman Team.
Local Schools Set for NCAA Tournament
No. 6 UNC, No. 16 Duke and No. 28 NC State are getting primed for the NCAA Tournament. All three have seen big contributions from players with ties to NCFC and posted successful seasons. UNC closed out the regular season with another impressive campaign, losing only two matches during the regular season. The school enters the tournament as a likely favorite to return to the College Cup.
The Blue Devils had a solid year and enter the postseason with a record of 12W-4L-2D. Led by an outstanding team effort across the field, Duke certainly has the manpower and depth to make a deep NCAA run.
NC State recorded a breakout year behind first-year head coach George Keifer. The side knocked off two top-five opponents and only has one loss in its last eight matches. Look for the Wolfpack to make its first NCAA appearance since 2009, as the rejuvenated side has the potential to beat any team in the country.
CAA Schools to Conclude Conference Tournament this Week
Elon’s Elijah Agu (NCFC Youth Academy) provided a big goal for the Phoenix, netting the opening goal in the Colonial Athletic Association Championship quarterfinals. His goal, which was his team-leading fourth of the season, wasn’t enough to advance the Phoenix, as the College of Charleston picked up a 2-1 victory. Elon will wait for the NCAA Selection Show as it sits on the tournament bubble.
UNC Wilmington is still alive in the CAA Championships. After earning a first-round bye, the Seahawks will face College of Charleston in the semifinals with its sights on an automatic NCAA Tournament berth.
Charlotte Still Fighting in C-USA Championship
Charlotte added a key win over New Mexico in the C-USA quarterfinals to keep their postseason tournament hopes alive. The group is picking up steam and hasn’t lost in five matches. Charlotte will face FIU in the semifinals of the C-USA Championship on Friday.
McCartney Leads Emory to NCAA D-III Tournament
Jason McCartney (NCFC Youth Academy) has shouldered the attacking load for Emory for most of the season, leading the team with 11 goals and three assists. McCartney’s latest contribution came with an assist in Emory’s 3-2 win over Rochester in the regular season finale. Emory has qualified for the NCAA D-III Tournament and will face Dickinson College in the first round.
Additional Notes:
- Bardia Asefnia and UMass captured the regular season Atlantic 10 title and are underway in their conference tournament. Asefnia picked up another shutout in goal with a 1-0 quarterfinal win over Saint Louis.
- Brandon Millington (NCFC Youth Academy) closed out his junior season with UNC-Asheville with a goal in a 2-2 draw with Presbyterian. Brendan O’Dowd also picked up an assist in the draw.
- Matthew Zinner (NCFC Youth Academy) and No. 3 Tufts University (NCAA D-III) rolled through their conference tournament to claim the NESCAC Championship. Zinner, a key member of the backline, helped extend Tufts’ shutout streak to 10 matches. The squad has a first-round bye in the NCAA Championship and will await it’s second-round opponent.
- Gio Solis (NCFC Youth Academy) and Louisburg College (NJCAA) have won their last seven matches and claimed the Southeast District Championship. Louisburg will enter the NJCAA Men’s Soccer National Tournament as the nine seed and face national powerhouses Tyler Junior College and Indian Hills Community College in pool play next week.
- Josh Coan (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23) and Pittsburgh concluded their season in the ACC Championship quarterfinals. Pittsburgh had its best season in recent history, setting numerous milestones along the way. Coan played 871 minutes across 14 matches and provided two assists on the season.
- NCFC U23 teammates Baboucarr Njie and Sheriff Secka helped NC Wesleyan (NCAA D-III) win the USA South Tournament and book their spot in the NCAA Championship. Nije provided a goal and assist in a semifinal victory against Covenant before the team grinded out a 1-0 win in the final over Maryville. The Fighting Bishops will face Oglethorpe in the first round of the NCAA Championship this weekend.
- Steeve Pouna and No. 5 Baker University have claimed an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship Tournament after advancing to the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship match. Pouna has scored five goals and recorded three assists with Baker this season.
