While it’s still not the win NC State women’s soccer has been searching for, the Wolfpack gave the No. 16 Duke Blue Devils all they could handle in Durham on Sunday, Sept. 24.
With neither team able to find a goal, the red-and-white recorded its third tie in four matches by drawing 0-0 with the Blue Devils (5-3-1, 1-1-1 ACC). After its heated 1-1 draw with Wake Forest, the Pack (1-5-5, 0-1-2 ACC) has recorded two well-earned draws in a row — all in spite of its merciless conference schedule.
“To get a point on the road against Duke and Wake, it’s a pretty good week considering we’ve been in so many tight games and they haven’t gone our way,” said head coach Tim Santoro. “…I mean, we want to get in the win column at some point, but these are hard games and I thought we showed a lot of resolve and a lot of toughness these last two games.”
Both teams got their chances offensively, but NC State turned up the pressure in the second half with an effort led by none other than star senior forward Jameese Joseph.
As usual, Joseph flashed her footwork, elite speed and eye for goal all night long and helped bring the Wolfpack as close as possible to a breaking the 0-0 deadlock. Aside from earning a dangerous free kick just outside the box late in the second period, she consistently pressed Duke’s back line with inventive dribbling and passing.
NC State’s closest chance at a goal came from junior midfielders Emika Kawagishi and Annika Wohner. After a pinpoint cross into the box from Kawagishi, Wohner laced a one-touch volley on goal, but the Blue Devil keeper was there to deny the red-and-white.
Meanwhile, NC State’s junior goalkeeper Olivia Pratapas pitched a shutout in between the posts — the first clean sheet of the season for the Wolfpack and the first one of her career. Pratapas’ four-save night was highlighted by a diving attempt late in the first half to keep Duke off the board.
Ever since assuming the role of starting keeper in early September due to a season-ending injury to senior goalkeeper Maria Echezarreta, Pratapas has settled in and stepped up for the Wolfpack.
“I came in; I made sure that I was there for the team,” Pratapas said. “And I would do everything that I could. So I feel pretty good and the team has trusted me. I’ve trusted them, so it’s good all around.”
Pratapas wasn’t the only one consistently denying Duke. NC State’s back four, led by players such as junior defender Brianna Weber and sophomore defender Taylor Chism, played a major role in keeping the Blue Devils at bay.
Ultimately, neither team could find the winning goal, leading to a 0-0 draw — possibly the best result of the Pack’s 2023 season.
“This team has been through a lot this year,” Santoro said. “And I never thought they would quit…They’ve really kept after it in training and our attitudes are good, and again, these are two really good results.”
But even with two favorable draws in a row, NC State will have its hands full when No. 1 UNC-Chapel Hill comes to Raleigh on Saturday, Sept. 30. As a perennial women’s soccer powerhouse, the undefeated Tar Heels are not to be trifled with.
However, if there’s any team that NC State can up its game against and continue its positive trajectory, it’s Carolina.
“I think a lot of people outside are doubting us,” Pratapas said. “But we believe in ourselves and we know that we’re almost there. So all we have to do is just bring that effort.”
The next rendition of the timeless UNC-NC State rivalry is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. at Dail Soccer Stadium in Raleigh.
