Some might argue that Riley Moloney’s hunger for Chipotle and Sour Patch Kids is a sign that he’s acclimated to life in America. He made the move from England last year to play soccer for NC State. But there’s a more telltale sign, one that’s been a shock to his family and friends back home: Moloney often refers to the game as “soccer.” 

The “beautiful game” is widely known around the globe as “football,” the moniker Moloney and his family have always used. But in the U.S., the game is “soccer.” “I guess it’s become normal to me now,” Moloney says. “I’m talking to my friends and family and calling it ‘soccer’ and it’s like, ‘What are you doing?’”

That transition speaks to how comfortable Moloney is with his new surroundings. It also speaks to the instant success he had on the field — er, pitch — as a Wolfpack defensive player. Moloney started at left back for all 23 games in 2025, led the team in assists and helped the team record 15 shutouts — a program record. He was honored with a spot on the All-ACC Freshman Team and named the fourth-best freshman in the nation after helping the Wolfpack reach the College Cup finals. 

Moloney, a sophomore sport management major, relishes the freedom he has to attack offensively (hence all the assists) and then get back to stop the other team from scoring. “Playing left back, I can sort of be involved with everything,” he says. The level of play at NC State is comparable to what he experienced in England, and he hopes it will help him reach his goal of playing professionally. “The usual stigma around college soccer, especially back home, is that it’s a step down,” he says, “like you’re only going to go to America to have a bit of fun.”

That has not been the case for Moloney, even if he has had his share of fun stateside. “It’s definitely not a step down for me,” he says. “You have some of the best players in the country playing in the ACC.”  

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