A bevy of strong import players wearing NC State red and white laid it to the Apps 4-1 last night in Raleigh's Dail Soccer Stadium.

http://www.gopack.com/sports/m-soccer/r ... 13aaa.html

The Apps, now a disappointing 3-6-6 on the season, play their final regular season match at Davidson (7-9-1) on Friday evening at 7 PM. The match will be a battle to avoid the SoCon cellar for both teams. The DC Cats are probably playing their best soccer of the season at just the right time; the Apps--not so much.

I thought we started the game with the deer in the headlights look and quickly conceded two goals, before settling down and playing soccer for the remainder of the first half. State is a solid side that was quick to take advantage of our mistakes and finish their chances. The Wolf puppies were faster, more athletic, more technical, more mature - and it showed in their performance. State honored 10 seniors pre-game for senior night and you could definitely see their experience, poise, and maturity against the much younger Apps. This was a good measuring stick to show how far we have to go to be competitive with ACC caliber teams, and hopefully the experience will serve as a building block for next year and will motivate players and coaches to step it up.

There are too many collegiate soccer programs in the state for ASU to live off of in-state recruits. Until we start recruiting and signing more foreign players, we're going to struggle. Elon is making strides with in-state recruits, but its close proximity to the Triangle and Triad has been used successfully as a selling point.