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. Stat

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