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. Conference play has started for most teams around the country, and all three Triangle ACC schools opened ACC play with victories. The club’s young stars are continuing to perform at an elite level and are also earning national recognition for themselves and their teams.
Agu Paces Elon to Another Victory
Elijah Agu (NCFC Youth Academy) added a goal and an assist in Elon’s 3-0 victory over High Point. The Academy product is up to two goals and two assists this season. After a 1-1 draw with Charlotte, Elon is undefeated in its first five matches with a 3W-0L-2D record. Fellow Academy graduates, John Walden and Mikey Thomas are also contributing big minutes as regular starters in the midfield for Elon.
Wolfpack Posts Undefeated Weekend
Manny Perez continues to lead NC State in his freshman season with the Pack. The NCFC Youth Academy graduate scored the game-winning goal, as NC State posted a 1-0 win over then No. 3 Clemson. His play earned him a spot on Top Drawer Soccer’s Team of the Week and he was also voted the NCAA’s Player of the Week. The Pack also knocked off Longwood 2-1 later in the weekend. Caleb Duvernay (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23), Nick Retzlaff (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23), Christoph Schneuwly (NCFC U23), Clayton Sparks (NCFC U23) and Ade Taiwo (NCFC U23) all saw the field over the weekend for the Pack.
No. 8 UNC-Chapel Hill Downs Pitt in ACC Opener
Five players with ties to the club earned playing time as No. 8 UNC Chapel Hill defeated Pitt 2-1 in its ACC season opener. Former NCFC U23 player Alan Winn recorded an assist on the Tar Heels’ opening goal. NCFC Youth Academy products Alex Comsia, Jeremy Kelly and Lucas del Rosario along with NCFC U23 member John Nelson also earned playing time in the victory.
White Leads No. 23 Duke to 3-1 Win in ACC Opener
Brian White, a former NCFC U23 player, led Duke with a goal and an assist in the Blue Devils’ 3-1 victory over Virginia Tech. White was named to Top Drawer Soccer’s Team of the Week for his performance. Will Pulisic (NCFC U23), Cody Brinkman (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23) and Colby Agu (NCFC Youth Academy) also earned playing time in the victory. Duke has moved to No. 23 in the latest poll after the win.
No. 22 UNCW Continues Strong Form, Defeats Longwood
Former Academy members continue to lead No. 22 UNC Wilmington to an impressive start to the season. UNCW defeated Longwood University 2-0 over the weekend. Ben Fisher scored off an assist from Matt Gianfortone to seal the victory for the Seahawks, while Ryan Cretens earned his third shutout of the season in goal. Jamil Gracia, Huntley Munn and Kalvin Kromer also appeared in the victory.
Additional Notes:
- Bardia Asefnia (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23) earned a shutout this week, helping UMass down Boston University.
- Matt Zinner (NCFC Youth Academy) has started in all three matches of the season for No. 1 Tufts University. The defender is a mainstay in the lineup of the NCAA D-III powerhouse that is aiming to repeat as national champions.
- Arty Kouzine (NCFC U23) picked up his first assist of the season for Penn University. However, Kouzine and the Quakers ended up on the wrong side of a 2-1 result against Seton Hall.
- Sheriff Secka (NCFC U23) added an assist in NC Wesleyan’s narrow 2-1 loss against Mary Washington.
- Robert Smith (NCFC Youth and NCFC Communications) played the entire 110 minutes in Drexel’s 0-0 draw with William & Mary.
* current rankings based on Sep. 12th United Soccer Coaches Poll
** previous rankings based on Sep. 5th United Soccer Coaches Poll
(Photo by Tim Cowie)
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. Conference play has started for most teams around the country, and all three Triangle ACC schools opened ACC play with victories. The club’s young stars are continuing to perform at an elite level and are also earning national recognition for themselves and their teams.
Agu Paces Elon to Another Victory
Elijah Agu (NCFC Youth Academy) added a goal and an assist in Elon’s 3-0 victory over High Point. The Academy product is up to two goals and two assists this season. After a 1-1 draw with Charlotte, Elon is undefeated in its first five matches with a 3W-0L-2D record. Fellow Academy graduates, John Walden and Mikey Thomas are also contributing big minutes as regular starters in the midfield for Elon.
Wolfpack Posts Undefeated Weekend
Manny Perez continues to lead NC State in his freshman season with the Pack. The NCFC Youth Academy graduate scored the game-winning goal, as NC State posted a 1-0 win over then No. 3 Clemson. His play earned him a spot on Top Drawer Soccer’s Team of the Week and he was also voted the NCAA’s Player of the Week. The Pack also knocked off Longwood 2-1 later in the weekend. Caleb Duvernay (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23), Nick Retzlaff (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23), Christoph Schneuwly (NCFC U23), Clayton Sparks (NCFC U23) and Ade Taiwo (NCFC U23) all saw the field over the weekend for the Pack.
No. 8 UNC-Chapel Hill Downs Pitt in ACC Opener
Five players with ties to the club earned playing time as No. 8 UNC Chapel Hill defeated Pitt 2-1 in its ACC season opener. Former NCFC U23 player Alan Winn recorded an assist on the Tar Heels’ opening goal. NCFC Youth Academy products Alex Comsia, Jeremy Kelly and Lucas del Rosario along with NCFC U23 member John Nelson also earned playing time in the victory.
White Leads No. 23 Duke to 3-1 Win in ACC Opener
Brian White, a former NCFC U23 player, led Duke with a goal and an assist in the Blue Devils’ 3-1 victory over Virginia Tech. White was named to Top Drawer Soccer’s Team of the Week for his performance. Will Pulisic (NCFC U23), Cody Brinkman (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23) and Colby Agu (NCFC Youth Academy) also earned playing time in the victory. Duke has moved to No. 23 in the latest poll after the win.
No. 22 UNCW Continues Strong Form, Defeats Longwood
Former Academy members continue to lead No. 22 UNC Wilmington to an impressive start to the season. UNCW defeated Longwood University 2-0 over the weekend. Ben Fisher scored off an assist from Matt Gianfortone to seal the victory for the Seahawks, while Ryan Cretens earned his third shutout of the season in goal. Jamil Gracia, Huntley Munn and Kalvin Kromer also appeared in the victory.
Additional Notes:
- Bardia Asefnia (NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U23) earned a shutout this week, helping UMass down Boston University.
- Matt Zinner (NCFC Youth Academy) has started in all three matches of the season for No. 1 Tufts University. The defender is a mainstay in the lineup of the NCAA D-III powerhouse that is aiming to repeat as national champions.
- Arty Kouzine (NCFC U23) picked up his first assist of the season for Penn University. However, Kouzine and the Quakers ended up on the wrong side of a 2-1 result against Seton Hall.
- Sheriff Secka (NCFC U23) added an assist in NC Wesleyan’s narrow 2-1 loss against Mary Washington.
- Robert Smith (NCFC Youth and NCFC Communications) played the entire 110 minutes in Drexel’s 0-0 draw with William & Mary.
* current rankings based on Sep. 12th United Soccer Coaches Poll
** previous rankings based on Sep. 5th United Soccer Coaches Poll
(Photo by Tim Cowie)
