Markovic, Erb, and Phillip Lead Pack Into College Cup

NC State’s Nikola Markovic, Logan Erb, and Donavan Phillip address the media as the Wolfpack prepares for the College Cup.

How has the backline and their identity contributed to that?

MARKOVIC: I mean, I think it's everything. Just like Coach Hubbard said, like from the start of the year, it was like a goal we put in place, right? Because we worked so hard defensively, we were like, might as well try to get a clean sheet record. And every game, it was part of our goals, something we want to achieve, and I think we've achieved it pretty well.

Logan, what's it like for you to have a defender like him in front of you every night?

ERB: I think it's attributed to not only just him, but the whole backline. I've always said, like, my forward backline are my best friends, my closest guys. And, I think it stems as much as it is on the field.

Like, Niko and I will go to the sauna, Niko and I will go make steaks together. Like, the relationship that we build, I mean, I feel like not only is this just teammates, it's a brotherhood that I plan to cherish for the rest of my life. And I love it.

Coach talked about how much you've grown the last year. How much have you, seen that in your weight playing?

ERB: I think, to me, I've made exponential strides, and I think it's come down to a mentality shift. Coming into the spring after the last fall, I didn't know, I wasn't happy with how I performed, and I knew that there was more to give, and I hold myself to an incredibly high standard. And so I told him how hard I'd work, I'd be the hardest worker on the field, I'd watch the most film, and I would do everything in my power to be what this program needs. And, he's helped me get all the resources for it and just took it from there.

This is for all three. You guys had the two Syracuse games. What did you, obviously there's value in wins, but what was the value for those experiences? Has that made y'all better in this NCAA tournament run?

PHILLIP: I feel like we took it, and we took it as a learning lesson. Knowing that our season wasn't over, and we have the national tournament coming after, we kind of look at it as a striker perspective. We had a bunch of chances, we outshot them by I think by like 10 or something like that, and then the ball didn't fall behind the net.

They're going to have nights like that, but then how we go from there, maybe we get some extra reps and going into the first game of the national tournament. So it's more like kind of learning from what happened in those Syracuse games and not ever making it happen again. 

I feel like the backline and us all being on the same page and then all going forward, I feel like we're in a very good spot to just use that as a learning experience.

ERB: Yeah. Oh, sorry. I mean, just really quick. We went through the whole season not giving up anywhere near as many goals as other teams, and one issue that we had was figuring out how to win when we did concede. I think we took the two Syracuse games in stride and really sat down with each other. 

We're open and honest about how we felt, and I think Georgetown was a big testament to how these guys can turn around and we can win games and we can't concede and still outscore teams.

For Donavan, playing at Kiski Prep and with your dad, playing professionally in Jamaica, how do you think that has prepared you for the spotlight period?

PHILLIP: I feel like it has, like from all the other games I've played, like back home and then especially going to a prep school like Kiski, was like known to be good. Like learning from the coaching staff and the guys that I played there, right, guys from like Spain and DR and all that stuff, like I use it as, like kind of I'm not just like playing just for me, I'm playing for all of them, like they all helped me throughout my story, and then kind of using them as a stepping stone to like try to go pro and try to do the same thing over there. 

And then like I look at it, like every game I go play, like it's an opportunity for me to show myself. I'm not just playing for me, I'm playing for my family and my country too, so it's kind of put my country on the map, kind of put my family name out there, and then I know like these guys are going to be behind me no matter what, even if I score the goal, even if I assist the goal, even if I'm not even on the field like the Duke game, I know they're going to leave everything out there and kind of like.

That mentality has always been for me like my entire life, and then coming to a team where it's all about like winning and kind of getting the next guy up like even better, leaving the place in, leaving NC State in a better place than when we came in, and I was like the mentality going through and it's been for my entire life, so like coming into a team like this where it's like that mentality is already there, it kind of helped a lot.

For all three of you, what's it like to be able to play in the Final Four, you know, 10 minutes down the road, not have to go too far and have the crowd that'll be behind you? 

MARKOVIC: I mean, it's an honor. Honestly, it's something we've been working for all year, and the fact that it's in Cary, it's like, I'd say it's a huge advantage for us, and also all our fans, alums, they have the chance to come, so we're just honored and we'll try to make the most of it.

What was the vision that you guys bought into when you came to NC State? All of you are relatively new to the program. What was that vision that was sold to you, and how has it lived up to sort of what you were expecting?

MARKOVIC: I mean, I think this is exactly it. Coach Hubbard, when he was recruiting me at least, and I think it's the same for all the other guys, you can tell he was ambitious. He had, everybody was telling him, hey, this is the best coach, and I just believed in him. I like this play, and I think this is exactly why we came here.

ERB: Yeah, I think Hubbard kind of sold me the dream that it was a rebuilt team, and you knew who I was growing up. Like, every time I've been a part of it, that's how it was, and it was always about leaving the program in a better place, and he gave me the platform, and he sold me this dream of where he thinks the program could go, and especially in my last two years of eligibility, and, I think he's going to capitalized on what he told me about it.

PHILLIP: Kind of going off what Logan said, he like kind of told me like where the program is, like where it is right now, and then like he's planning the guys yet coming in. He's kind of confident that the next two or three years, we're going to be like some like the best team in the country. 

I mean, coming in, there's going to have a little skeptical coming in, because I would say NC State wasn't my top option, but when I came on my visit and kind of meeting Coach Hubbard in person, the coaching staff, who I committed on the spot like five minutes after. I knew this was a place for me, and I knew this place was going to be special, and I just lived up to it.

Donavan, with a team that's scoring so quickly like they did in the Georgetown game, how important is it for the rest of the contest to see ball turns in the back of the net?

PHILLIP: It means a lot. Like, Ashley, that was one of the things we talked about, kind of scoring early and getting on the front foot. We know we have some of the best defenders and one of the best goalkeepers in the country that from time to ball behind the net where we can get one or two, then we know we can shut like any team in the country out.

So trying to get that early goal is like really big, and that's kind of what we're going into St. Louis as, like trying to stand on the front foot, like press them early, trying to get shots off early, and then hopefully one, two, three, maybe four, four at the back and then the first half and kind of manage the game from there.

Logan, does it make it any easier for you when you have a lead to play with?

ERB: A hundred percent, especially with the report that we've built and kind of the, I would say the, almost like the mantra that we've built for this team, especially one of this season, like teams know that they need multiple goals in order to beat us. We have the best offense in the country, let alone an absolute lockdown defense. Like teams will scramble if we go up one or two.

Let's talk about your midfield. They're not here. Those are, what do you think about those dudes for me? Speak to those. They have to, they're not here, so it's up to you.

PHILLIP: I'll go first because they're kind of my providers. I feel like they're like, they're the guys on the team that does the most burning, the most running and the most dirty work, I'd say. Like they kind of like week in and week out, like kind of provide for, provide and help, they provide us with like chances to try and score goals, a shot at take and then like kind of help out our defense where they kind of like to unlock the game, they're the waist of the team.

So like we need them. They're like one of the most important parts of our team. I know they're not there right now, but then I know like if they were there, they would say like, they kind of, they put their trust into us, like knowing that we're going to lock down and like score goals and they know like they have one of the hardest jobs and maybe they don't get the most praise for it, but they know like they're the most important players on our team.

How many dudes would give up the PK to a midfielder? You did. You got to trust.

PHILLIP: I put my trust in my boys. I know for sure they're going to, it may not be pretty, like the first one like do something, but you know you're going to go ahead. That's what I'm saying. But I know like they're one of the most technical guys I've ever played with. And I know that 12 years out, I know they won't make any mistakes. 

And even being at 17 goals where I know like maybe I took that one or two PKs, I'll be the top scorer in the country right now. But I know that kind of put the team first and I know they were going to convert. And I'm not saying I'm second guessing myself, but I know they were like in the best spot in the best position to go into that. So I'll give it up any day of the week to win the game.

About that atmosphere at Georgetown, what was that like?

MARKOVIC: I mean, I personally, I kind of liked it, you know, when people are always shouting and trying to say bad things, I think it gets some guys locked in. It gives like an extra bit of motivation. You want to prove them wrong when you win.It's even sweeter.

ERB: Yeah, I mean, I agree. Spent the whole 90 minutes just hearing everything you possibly could under the sun. And, I know a lot of keepers would rather just zone it out. But to me, I love interacting with it. It fires me up. It gets me going and keeps me riled up for the whole 90.

You ever been cussed at by kids that young?

ERB: I don't know about that many that young, I’ll tell you that.

There's a lot of kids in this area that play soccer, and it's a soccer-rich sort of part of the country. A lot of kids look up to you guys as far as what you've accomplished. Do you guys kind of sense that being in this community and how much people like soccer around here?

MARKOVIC: Yeah, I mean, after the games, we always do our rounds with people, with the renters, with the parents, some friends. And me personally, I've seen a lot of kids, they come up to me, I say, good game, and I try to talk to them, and they tell me a little bit, I play soccer too, I play this position. So, honestly, I think we can sense it.

ERB: Yeah, I mean, for me, a big tradition I like to do is always giving my gloves away, especially when they're coming near the end of their life. And I never really thought much of it. It was something that was ingrained in me when I was, I don't know, back in my day.

But to have kids then post it and tag me, and the excitement, and their parents are DMing me about how happy it's made them, it's made me really think about how much each of us have a hold in the community with these kids, and with their families, and bringing them together.

Do you know much about that Red Terror nickname, where it comes from, what it means, and what does it mean to you guys?

ERB: I don't know too much about the origin or any of that, but I do know, like, they've lived up to what I've seen being called the Terrors, and I hear about it, especially from the fans. They're like, we're very close with women's soccer, and they'll go hang out with the Red Terrors during the games, and we'll hear back on, just how the goalkeepers are shaking up, and we'll see mistakes from them, and it's like, it's unbelievable. It's great.

This team has, marked their name in history books, next to some, pretty big teams. Last time this program got into the Final Four back in 1990, what does it mean to you guys to kind of have their names already there, and potentially getting taken separately?

PHILLIP: It means a lot. I would say, like, we kind of, we put a lot of work this season, like, coming into preseason, we kind of had, it was one of our goals to get to Cary. We kind of put, like, everything in place where we can, like, even, I would say the guys, like, on the scout team, like, getting us ready, like, week in, week out, like, the coaches doing the film, getting scouted by guys, and I feel like the team has put us in the best spot to go make some special.

I feel like with the group we have, we knew if we go into the national tournament that we're going to make a deep run, and then, at the end of the day, it's a national championship we're all chasing to try and leave our legacy and leave the place in a better, leave NC State in a better place, and I feel like we, we're really close. We, like, at the door, just, like, finishing the job.

You haven't got scouted St. Louis yet?

PHILLIP: Yeah, we have.

Which spots on there?

PHILLIP: They're a pretty good team, like, every team in the College Cup right now is pretty good. That's, like, I would say, like, the four, the four best tournament teams in the countries right there, right now. I would say, one of the weakest spots is their back line, so we're hoping to, like I said, like, present early and kind of get some early goals and kind of maintain that shutout so these guys can get the record.

So, and we know, like, from the fact that every time we put one or two at the back of the net, then we can shut out any team in the country, so kind of start early, score early, and then make it to the national championship game on Monday.

Marc subbed you a lot, and there's been no slippage, and then you get the back end of the game, and obviously you would be more fresh than you would otherwise. Speak to how that made you maybe one of the better forwards in the country.

PHILLIP: I would say, like, knowing that, like, I can get subbed out and the team will not, like, the team will not drop, the level will not drop, and then the guys coming in is going to do everything in their power to maybe put, like, put the team first and then come working, even though they're playing, like, two or three minutes or five minutes or whatever it is. 

But I would say that rest really helps me where I put, like, 45 and rest the extra 10 and come in maybe the second half, like, 25, 30 to go, where I know my legs are at a good place, but I could not reserve anything and leave everything on the line for the team.

You guys played some pretty intense 45 minutes in the second half there in Georgetown. I know Rob said it was, like, the most intense soccer he's seen. How did you guys recover from that?And looking ahead to St. Louis, who is also a pretty scrappy team, I think they had eight draws and two of their games went to OT.

ERB: I think it's a lot easier to recover when you win games like that, especially away and especially making the Final Four. Guys were buzzing for it. It was all about, like, the next two days was about how do we get our legs in a really good place and still get the touches on the ball so we're not going in a little rigid going into this week.

But I feel like it's more mental than it is physical at this point, to some degree, and just keeping guys ready for Friday and then how we manage that to go into Monday.

I got one. Can Marc sing? Because when y'all win, you sing. How neat would that be to sing on Monday night?

MARKOVIC: I'd love to hear him sing on Monday, honestly. I think he's got an amazing voice. So we're all waiting for it.

PHILLIP: I think I'm more looking forward to the cheers. Like, that's what I'm looking forward to. You can see, like, how much it means to him. Like, even after being in, like, Boston College, where it's just, like, a regular season game, like, knowing that he went home and then we got the job done for him. 

And then we know that he puts everything on the line for us and he's one of those passionate coaches and we want to give him a national championship.