Canadian Nikola Markovic is hard to miss at the heart of the North Carolina State backline. At six foot four and 205 pounds, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year cuts a commanding figure.
The 21-year-old sophomore centre back from Gatineau, Que., will look to help the 15th-seeded Wolfpack (13-2-4) get past visiting UNC Greensboro (12-4-6) on Sunday in the NCAA men’s soccer tournament Sweet 16.
After a first-round bye, North Carolina State blanked Marshall 2-0 with Markovic’s parents making the 14-hour drive to take it in.
“My Dad, he’s a machine, man,” Markovic said approvingly. “He just drives it in one shot. And he’s thinking about coming again this weekend. So hopefully.”
UNC Greensboro dispatched Elon in a first-round penalty shootout before upsetting No. 2 Virginia 2-0.
N.C. State and UNC Greensboro played to a 1-1 draw when they met Oct. 21 in Raleigh with midfielder Drew Lovelace pulling the Wolfpack even with a 84th-minute penalty. North Carolina had to settle for the tie despite outshooting the Spartans 25-4 (12-2 in shots on target) and holding a 13-1 edge in corners.
“They’re a good team … so we’re expecting a good game. But I think the guys are ready,” said Markovic, who captains N.C. State.
N.C. State’s lone losses were to 1-0 to No. 16 Virginia on Oct. 5 and 3-0 to Syracuse on Nov. 9 in the second round of the ACC Tournament.
The Wolfpack outscored their opposition 42-7 this season with 14 shutouts. Markovic played his part with the Wolfpack highlighting a robust chase and tackle against North Carolina on Sept. 5 with a social media post proclaiming “Meet our centre back, Nikola Markovic. You can also call him Brick Wall.”
While Markovic’s brief is stopping goals, he can make an impact at the other end of the field.
Last November, his headed goal in double overtime was the Wolfpack’s winner over Charlotte in the first round of the NCAA tournament. He has two goals and an assist in 18 games this season.
Markovic, along with Wolfpack goalkeeper Logan Erb and forward Donovan Philip, made the 31-man Hermann Trophy midseason watch list — as did UNC Greensboro forward Enzo Dovlo.
The list will be cut to 15 semifinalists Dec. 9 and then three finalists, with the player of the year to be revealed Jan. 9.
Markovic, whose parents are both of Serbian descent, won gold with Quebec at the 2022 Canada Games and joined the CF Montreal academy at 18, spending a year and a half there.
“I had the chance to play with the first team a little bit and train with them, so I saw what the pro level was like,” he said. “I think it prepared me very well to come to college and be able to perform.”
Pro soccer remains his dream.
“But for now I’m just focusing on staying healthy and having a successful year with the (N.C. State) team. After that, we’ll see.”
His Wolfpack teammates include Ibrahim Conde, a sixth-year forward from Montreal. Other players come from the U.S., Australia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Portugal, St. Lucia and South Africa.
After making the All-ACC Freshman Team last season, Markovic was named to 2025 All-ACC Team in addition to his conference defensive player honours.
“It’s just been unreal,” Markovic said of his two years in Raleigh.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 29, 2025
Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
