To perform above expectations takes many factors to come together at once. Veterans must step up to lead the team both on and off the field, the whole team must work harder than anyone expected them to work, and chance must be in the team’s favor, for some degree of luck always plays a part in sports.

Another vital piece to that puzzle of success is that X factor. This term refers to that player that, when looking at a game — or a season — does not stand out as a key contributor. However, this X factor works as a catalyst to push his team above expectations and succeed.

For the men’s soccer team, that X factor was Andy Lubahn, a freshman who was a vital piece of Wake’s offensive front, and for that reason, deserved to be the ACC Freshman of the Year.

Now, some might say I am going too far to suggest the ACC should have sent another end-of-the-year award in Wake’s directions with the team already garnering four first team spots, two all-freshmen spots, the Offensive Player of the Year (junior Corben Bone), the Defensive Player of the Year (junior Ike Opara) and the Coach of the Year (Jay Vidovich) awards.

However, Bone would have had a lot more pressure on him to produce with one less powerful offensive player up front, and Vidovich would have had to restructure things up front without the speedy Lubahn supplementing the offense. A great player can make his entire team better, and Lubahn did just that all season.

Offensively, Lubahn was a constant threat, scoring seven regular season goals, including two game winners.

Behind Wake senior Zach Schilawski, he was the second leading scorer in ACC matches with five goals in conference play. He also scored two goals in Wake’s first ACC Tournament game against Clemson and earned all-Tournament honors. His explosive speed, great ball skills, and an ability to finish made the young forward a force to be reckoned with all season.

Going into this season, it was hard to believe that Wake could perform on the same level as the two seasons before this.

Only returning four starters, the team was ranked fourth in the ACCs preseason polls. However, the team secured themselves another ACC Regular Season Title and received the No. 3 spot in the NCAA Tournament.

For a team that looked to be taking a step back, Wake has stood strong, much in part to their X factor, Lubahn.

Now, Duke’s Andrew Wenger took home the Freshman of the Year title, and his numbers were pretty impressive. The defenseman not only helped Duke record seven shutouts this season but also produced three goals and two assists during the season. He started in 17 games for the Blue Devils and led the team in minutes played. These are some impressive stats, but while Lubahn helped his team to win the ACC Regular Season Title, Duke ranked sixth in the conference, and while Wake is seeded third in the NCAA tournament with a first round bye, Duke will have to scrap it out against Winthrop on Thursday, Nov. 19 to continue on to the second round.

It is hard to compare the numbers of an offensive and defensive player, but when their teams play one another, it leads to a much more useful and interesting view. When Duke came to Spry Stadium on Friday, Nov. 6, the offense of Wake ran over the defense of Duke.

The 3-0 win saw Lubahn put in the game winner just 15 minutes into the game.

This lead saw nothing but growth for the rest of the game. Lubahn recorded four shots to help Wake outshoot Duke 19-9 in a game where the home team dominated almost every statistic available. Lubahn also earned ACC Player of the Week for his performance. Now it was not Andrew Wegner against Andy Lubahn all night, but the game stacked these two players’ teams against each other and Lubahn’s team came out on top.

Some will argue that Wegner was more valuable to his team, as Duke lacked the skill that Wake Forest has as a whole.

While it is true that Wake is more talented than Duke, Lubahn contributed not only in his own numbers, but also with his teammates’ stats. Offensive powers like Bone and Schilawski would have been hounded by defenses if Lubahn was not around to add an equally dangerous threat to the front line. He may not have always scored the goals, but he drew the double-team away from the goal scorer in many situations.

By freeing up his teammates, Lubahn gave Wake the extra kick it needed to be a real contender.

ACC Freshman of the Year is a great honor that should be held in the highest regard.

However, I predict it will be an afterthought in Andy Lubahn’s career at Wake.

The young forward has much more to bring to the table, and as he improves on the field and starts finishing even more chances, his numbers will rise.

Entering his first NCAA Tournament, Lubahn might not be Freshman of the Year by the ACC’s standards, but Wake Forest fans know he is the young gun to watch this post-season.