A shutout at home, coming off two loses away, was exactly what the N.C . State soccer team needed to get back in the win column.
The Georgia Southern Eagles (7-5-1) traveled to Raleigh in hopes of winning their first game on State’s turf since 2002. As the Southern Conference leader, they brought along Conference Player of the Year candidate Luigi Clendening , who has recorded 11 goals this season.
But the Wolfpack has sophomore midfielder Nazmi Albadawi , who is a top striker and leads the team after today’s winning goal with five goals and three assists this season.
After 9 shots on goal in the second half, the 71st minute saw what would be the game winner by Albadawi , who was thrilled that his team finally got a win.
“We got the win that we needed. We have to get a lot of wins the rest of the year, and that was a good way to start” said Albadawi . “That was a tough team at home and they are a really hard-working team, so we just had to grind it out and we finally got a goal.”
The game did not pick up intensity until the second half of the game with the first half seeing only two shots on goal by the Wolfpack and four shots on goal by the Eagles. State out-shot GSU 13 goals to two goals in the second half and Georgia Southern did not have their shots until after NCSU scored.
Sophomore Ryan Metts, who played more of a defensive center midfielder, helped the Pack to secure the shutout and said that the team possesses more of second half intensity.
“We’re usually better as a second half team,” Metts said. “And we knew that if we didn’t get away a goal in the first half we would be alright.”
The Eagles also picked up their level of intensity with some frustration and aggressiveness towards the Pack by using some pushing and shoving in order to fight back and score. But Metts believed that if they fight back, State should stay focused no matter what.
“The way I look at it, is if they push you, you have to try your best not to react because you know in tough times, the referee is going to get the reaction and not see the first foul,” said Metts. “But at the same time you can’t take too much from them, you have to show a little bit of roughness.”
Coach Kelly Findley agreed that his team was disciplined coming into the second half.
“It’s tough to keep your focus when the other team is losing theirs a little bit,” said Findley. “During halftime we talked about being a little more possession oriented in their half of the field and getting connected as well as creating quality chances and not just half-chances. I’m pleased with the way they guys stuck to the task.”
Albadawi’s goal started with a long and high throw-in by senior defenseman Zane Tharakan to freshman forward Zabarle Kollie who controlled the ball and passed it to Albadawi. After a one-timer, the ball reached the net past Georgia Southern’s goalie.
It was Tharakan’s first start of the season and also added an assist with his long throw-ins that look like corner kicks. Coach Findley was amazed at how far he could throw the ball in the air.
“It’s crazy, it’s unreal, and all the guys I’ve ever had, they always look like Zane, like normal people,” said Findley. “You think like this guy who can throw it in, he’s going to be like a hulking, muscularly looking guy, but they’re like normal looking people.”
Tuesday night marked the fifth shutout by sophomore goal keeper Fabian Otte this season. Otte made no saves the second half and just three saves in the first.
With only five games left to play in the season, the Wolfpack will play the first of their last two home games this season on Friday against the Virginia Tech Hokies. Game time is 7 p.m.
