NC State men’s soccer wrapped up its regular season with an intense 1-1 draw against No. 10 Clemson and ended its six-game losing streak against the Tigers.
The Tigers (9-3-3, 4-2-2 ACC) entered the game with the most goals in the country but the Wolfpack (6-8-3, 1-5-2 ACC) held Clemson scoreless for most of the game with its physical style of play. The teams combined for 18 fouls and six yellow cards.
“I think our identity is to always compete and be aggressive,” said graduate defender Kendall Edwards. “You can’t play these games and be scared and be soft.”
Clemson dominated the possession in the first half, recording five shots on goal to NC State’s one. The Tigers pressured the Wolfpack’s defensive third many times throughout the first half but key saves from freshman goalkeeper Samuel Terranova and aggressive defense kept the nation’s top scoring team off the board.
“I think when you go back and look at clear-cut chances, I think we’re getting pretty stingy,” said head coach George Kiefer. “The back of the team is really fighting and grinding and I think the looks they got were more off of our possessions.”
With the Pack playing in its defensive third for the most of the first half, there were not many chances to create offense. The best chance came when sophomore midfielder Calem Tommy got behind the defense on the right sideline for a one on one opportunity with the Clemson keeper, but Tommy didn’t get much on the shot and the Tigers’ keeper made an easy save.
If the first 45 minutes of the first half weren’t physical enough, the second half brought even more physicality. Things started to get chippy between the teams when freshman left center back Lawson Abass drew a yellow card.
The tension between the two squads mounted as the match went on with Clemson drawing four yellow cards in the second half. Pack players did everything they could to get under the skin of Clemson players whether it was a slight shove or taking extra time to retrieve the ball.
“From a grit and blue collar toughness and competing standpoint, I thought the guys did really well with that,” Kiefer said. “We challenged them at halftime to hold the ball up a little better and I thought we did that.”
It was evident that the Wolfpack’s physical play started to wear on the Tigers as they gave up more opportunities to the Pack offense. It took over 80 minutes of game time but NC State finally capitalized off its hard work.
The Pack advanced the ball into its attacking third and Tommy passed to freshman midfielder Hakim Karamoko where he would do the rest. Karamoko received the ball and dribbled to an open spot, firing a shot from just outside the box that was placed perfectly in the top left corner of the goal to give NC State a 1-0 lead.
“I think he bent it right in,” Kiefer said. “It’s the third ACC game he scored goals in… clearly he’s a good threat for us.”
The goal sent the fans at Dail Soccer Stadium into a frenzy thinking it would be the game-winning goal with just under 10 minutes left. The elation was short lived as Clemson tied the game five minutes later off a corner kick.
The Pack nearly pulled off the upset against the No. 10 team in the country and it showed that it can compete against the best.
While it was an emotional game on the field, it was also an emotional night for players on NC State with it being senior night. Edwards was brought to tears explaining what his time at NC State has meant to him.
“I’ve been here for five years,” Edwards said. “It means a lot to me man, I really appreciate everyone in this program and what they’ve done for me.”
Edwards will be a key part of the team if it wants to advance in the ACC tournament. NC State is slated to play No.19 Syracuse in the first round of the tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 1.
