In the Sunday afternoon heat, the N.C. State women’s soccer team (2-0-0) posted its second straight win of the season at the N.C. State Soccer Stadium. The 2-0 victory, which came at the expense of the Western Carolina Catamounts (0-2-0), marks the best start for the Wolfpack since 2006 when the team began the season with four consecutive shutout victories.

“It’s just a testament to how hard we worked last spring and in the preseason,” coach Laura Kerrigan said. “Our movement off-ball was so much better today. When we’ve got an outside back coming forward to score a goal, we’re just doing fantastic.”

Just 32 seconds after the scoreless first half, freshman forward Paige Dugal worked her way downfield and received a dish from sophomore Kara Baldy. Taking aim, Dugal blasted the shot into the lower right side of the goal to give the Wolfpack a 1-0 lead. Later in the half, sophomore Nadia Aboulhosn fired a shot into the top of the net to secure the victory for the Pack.

“Today’s game was so exciting and awesome,” Dugal said. “It was just our second game on the new field, so it was really exciting to open it with a win.”

Dugal, whose goal was the first of her college career, is just one of several freshmen on the team seeing significant playing time this season.

“Having a large group of freshmen helps us all get the hang of everything together,” Dugal said. “The older girls are also amazing at teaching us things.”

In addition to Dugal, freshman Kim Kern once again played all 90 minutes as goal keeper, recording four saves including a stop at the 84:15 mark when Western Carolina’s Shannon Fowkes bolted the ball from only a few feet out.

“Our freshmen are playing very well and are being cool and calm under pressure,” Kerrigan said. “Kim Kern had a very solid game in goal and withstood some very physical challenges. Paige started to move off of the ball very well and we found her, and she was able to find the back of the net.”

During the first half, Western Carolina and State looked deadlocked with neither team showing much on offense until what appeared to be a goal by the Catamounts. The goal, however, was ruled out because of an offside call. Pack goalie Kim Kern capitalized on the opportunity and found sophomore Baldy alone at midfield and heading for the goal. Baldy sent the shot sailing towards the goal only to have it deflected away by Catamount goalie Caitlin Williams.

“They definitely played much more physical than Wofford did,” sophomore defender Alex Berger said. “Our forwards were able to make some adjustments though and get settled down during the second half.”

For the most part, the Wolfpack controlled the momentum of the game, with senior Lindsay Vera weaving in between Catamount defenders to open up shots for her teammates.

“Our upperclassmen have really taken it upon themselves to be the backbone of the team,” Kerrigan said. “Our back four – all upperclassmen — were extremely solid today in such a physical game.”

On Friday, the Pack plays host to Elon (0-0-0) at 7:00 PM in the N.C. State Soccer Stadium.

“We’re going to go right back in with the same work ethic we’ve had, and concentrate on ball movement and rhythm,” Kerrigan said. “The more rhythm we have as a team, the faster we move the ball, and the more successful we are.”