The NC State men's soccer team is set for its first competition of the 2020 season as it visits rival North Carolina for an exhibition match on Sunday evening. Kickoff from the UNC Lacrosse & Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m.
In accordance with current state guidelines, there is no public admission to this event.
2019 REWINDLast season, the Wolfpack made its third consecutive NCAA Championship appearance for the first time since the 1985-87 seasons. NC State finished fifth in the league standings, the best mark achieved by the program since the 2005 team finished third in the ACC.
2020 SQUADNC State returns a significant portion of its starting lineup from 2019 and also welcomes a solid group of newcomers. Included among NC State's 2020 signing class are four freshmen and three transfers.
The Wolfpack returns four multi-goal scorers from last year, including junior
Kuda Muskwe who tied for the team lead with five goals in 2019. The team also brings back six players who earned 17+ starts apiece during the 2019 campaign.
PRESEASON NEWSSenior midfielder
George Asomani was named to the 11-player 2020 ACC Preseason Watch List on Tuesday. He enters the year after playing in 18 games and earning the start in each of those outings. He tallied a total of 1,598 minutes on the field in 2019, highlighted by nine shots and a goal in NC State's ACC Tournament quarterfinal match at Pittsburgh.
In addition, the Pack was selected to finish fourth in the competitive South Region, as voted on by the league's head coaches in the 2020 ACC Preseason Poll.
SERIES HISTORYNC State and North Carolina last faced off in the exhibition portion of the 2019 season. The Wolfpack came away from that meeting with a 2-1 victory.
David Norris scored first for NC State following a corner kick in the 52nd minute, and
David Loera converted a penalty just minutes later to double the Pack's lead.
The teams will also play once during the 2020 regular season, with NC State slated to make a return trip to Chapel Hill on Oct. 30.
COMING UPThe Wolfpack will open up 2020 regular season action at Duke on Saturday, Sept. 26.