In the span of 20 seconds, No. 21 NC State men’s soccer went from on the verge of winning its first ACC Tournament game since 2019 to conceding two goals. The result was a 2-1 loss to Virginia in the first round of the ACC Tournament Wednesday night at Dail Soccer Stadium.
Before the Cavaliers’ equalizer and game-winning goals, the Wolfpack was putting on a defensive clinic, holding Virginia to just three shots and just one on goal. But two defensive lapses sandwiched between the 72nd and 73rd minute prevented the Pack from advancing to the second round.
“To be in control of the game and then within a minute be chasing it like that is just devastating,” said head coach Marc Hubbard. “Soccer can be cruel.”
Down 1-0 with less than 20 minutes in the game, Virginia began to press higher in attempt to tie the game and in the 72nd minute, it cashed in on an opportunity. Cavalier defender Paul Wiese received the ball on the sideline in the Pack’s attacking third and lofted a ball into the box. As the ball came down inside the goalie’s box, forward Triton Beauvois leapt in the air and headed the ball past junior goalkeeper Logan Erb to tie the game.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Cavaliers were right back down in the Wolfpack’s end as Beauvois directed a pass toward the middle of the box. The pass deflected off a Virginia player but went directly to the foot of forward David Okorie, who smashed it into the back of the net for a 2-1 lead.
In just 20 seconds, the Wolfpack went from in complete control to stunned.
“Our response to the goal wasn’t good and gave it away right away,” Hubbard said. “Gave them a little transitional moment when we’re slipping and stuff and got punished for it.”
After Virginia took the lead, NC State had its chances to tie the game and play for sudden death. In the 76th minute, sophomore forward Donavan Phillip had a shot saved by the Cavaliers’ goalie. Ten minutes later, junior midfielder Taig Healy had a clean look at the top of the box that was blocked by a Virginia defender.
In the last 20 seconds of the game, it was chaos in Virginia’s box. With the Wolfpack desperate to tie the game, it kept shooting the ball toward the net but there were Cavaliers scattered throughout the goalie box to deny any chances. With three seconds left, Healy lofted a ball that freshman defender Niko Markovic headed towards the net. The ball nearly crossed the line but Virginia defender Nick Dang managed to keep it out of the net.
“Proud of how they responded and definitely fought until the end,” Hubbard said. “Created a flurry of chances in the goal that could’ve easily rolled in.”
Outside of allowing two goals in less than a minute, the Wolfpack locked down the Cavaliers for the rest of the game. It held Virginia to just six shots — six below its average — and three shots on goal.
It’s an area the Pack has drastically improved in after giving up the second most goals per game in the ACC last season to ranking fourth in goals allowed per game this year. While the Pack continued its high level of defensive play against Virginia, two moments of disconnect cost it.
“This is shitty but we stare it in the face a little bit,” Hubbard said. “Soccer is cruel and so if life at times. We got to be able to get back up and keep fighting. It’s not like a product of what we did tonight was like we didn’t deserve more. Anyone watching that game recognizes we deserve more. So from an ACC game standpoint, I can’t think of another game we were more in control or had more chances.”
The Wolfpack was without leading goal scorer sophomore forward Hakim Karamoko and graduate defender Liam Bennett, who started every regular season contest. The one positive Hubbard took away from the match is that they will have time to heal up before the NCAA Tournament.
Since it built a strong resume during the regular season, it’s almost a guarantee that NC State will be back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. However, the loss likely means it will not host and instead will play on the road.
The field will be revealed on Monday, Nov. 18.
