Freshman forward Kayla Saager manages to maintains control of the ball after a Wolfpack throw-in. State kept the lead for majority of the match, but allowed Western to score with around ten minutes to spare. Photo by Kristin Bradford
The NC State women’s soccer team lost 1-0 in its ACC opener Sunday evening at Wake Forest.
The Pack started the first of three conference games Sunday, the next being Duke Thursday night and Carolina Sunday afternoon.
Sunday’s close loss was a hard pill to swallow for the Pack. Excluding it being a conference loss, the Pack also will be without starting redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Mackenzie Stelljes, who will be serving suspension for a red card earned in the 60th minute.
Up until that point, it was a hard fought battle. The Deacons and the Pack tied in shots, 4-4, in the first half. It was a much different story in the second half, as Wake Forest outshot the Pack 3-11 in the second.
Although the first half was a battle, the Deacs were able to secure a lot of possessions early, along with quick shots and corners, however fruitless they may have been. The Pack was able to muster a 1v1 that was not converted along with a few corners placed too close to Wakes keeper, Lindsay Preston.
Starting in the second half, the bout resumed, until Stelljes received her red card and changed the complexion of the game. Playing a man down put State under a lot of pressure, the objective became no longer to win, but to survive.
The pressure from Wake became extreme, the Deacons getting chances left and right, State doing everything possible to maintain the deadlock. State was saved when the first goal of the night was waived offside for Wake, but there was more to come.
The goal came in the 83rd, when a stray cross was deflected off a Pack defender into the net. When a goal comes that late in a game, it is often tough to bounce back and find an equalizer, and this game was no exception.
Looking forward, the Pack has two tough follow up games that are going to test its resolve. The Blue Devils are 5-4 overall and started conference play with a convincing 3-0 rout over Pittsburgh.
The Blue Devils have looked strong on the road, gaining a 2-0 win at West Virginia and a 3-0 win at Pitt. State’s defense will also be put to the test, as Duke has scored 16 goals in nine games, with four games having three goals each.
Along with the Blue Devils rolling offense, they have conceded 10 goals in four shutouts. This Duke team is in form and will be the Pack’s biggest challenge thus far.
Three days after the battle with Duke, State turns to face Carolina at home. Carolina, who is 4-2-1 overall, will more than likely not create as much offensive pressure as Duke, as Carolina has only recorded seven goals.
That being said, they have only conceded four goals, even recording shutouts against sides with seven wins. Carolina will more than likely test the Pack’s midfield and also their patience. The game against Carolina will not consist of run and gun play with big saves, but will contain more tactics and patience.
The Wolfpack will kick off Thursday at 7pm in Dail soccer Stadium and 1pm Sunday once again at Dail.