N.C. State rallied from behind to finish its match against Gardner-Webb in a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night in Boiling Springs, N.C.
The Running Bulldogs (4-4-1, 1-1-0 Big South) are undefeated at home this season, and kept that streak alive against the Wolfpack (4-2-2, 1-2-1 ACC). The draw gives Gardner-Webb’s all-time record against ACC schools to 1-21-1, with its only win coming against Clemson in 2009. State is now 6-0-1 all-time against the Bulldogs.
Gardner Webb struck first in the 75th minute on a header from junior forward Denzel Clark that was knocked past sophomore Wolfpack goalkeeper Alex McCauley.
Ten minutes later, State’s freshman midfielder Michael Bajza responded by ripping a shot from just outside the box for his first goal of the season. He was set up off a corner kick from senior midfielder Alex Martinez, tacking on his fourth assist of the year.
“I’m excited about getting my first college goal, but the team matters more overall than anyone individually,” Bajza said. “You really learn about who your team is [in these kinds of situations].”
The first half was uneventful from an offensive standpoint, with only three shots on goal from State and two from the Bulldogs.
“It was the kind of game where we started off slow, and we paid for it in the end,” Bajza said. In a drastic change from the first half, the second was packed with offense and missed chances on both sides.
The first six minutes of the second period saw four shots from the Bulldogs and six from the Pack.
“In the end, you have to take responsibility for your own success, and tonight we didn’t do that,” head coach Kelly Findley said.
Despite the goal scored by Clark, goalkeeper McCauley held his own, totaling seven saves and making key plays down the stretch.
State was inefficient on offense Tuesday night, scoring once on 33 shots, 14 of which were on goal.
“I wasn’t happy with our finishing,” Findley said.
A factor in the Pack’s struggles was freshman Bulldog goalkeeper Matthew Swan, who snagged 13 saves and was named player of the game.
The Pack will continue its road trip this Friday against ACC newcomer Syracuse.
“I did think we did a good job of fighting back so I was pleased with that part, but we shouldn’t have put ourselves in that situation,” Findley said. “We need to be hungrier earlier.”
