The men’s soccer team’s brutal schedule continues to takes its toll on the team’s record, as for the third straight game, N.C. State (3-5) left the field with a loss to a ranked opponent.
After knocking off then-No. 1 North Carolina, the Wolfpack had dropped consecutive conference games to Virginia and Maryland, both ranked in the top 10 at the time, before Wednesday.
But this time the loss came at the hands of a non-conference opponent in No. 11 South Carolina (7-1). After the game coach George Tarantini commented on the strength of the Pack’s schedule.
“We played No. 1, No. 3 and No. 5 and now No. 11 in the country,” he said. “That’s the type of competition we play — maybe we’re playing the toughest schedule in the country.”
The Gamecocks struck first, scoring the only goal of the first period by either team. The second period, however, had plenty of offense.
State answered South Carolina’s first period goal in the 56th minute when freshman defender Daniel Fish headed a corner kick into the top of the net. But perhaps Fish’s most impressive play of the game came just before the goal on the defensive end.
The Gamecocks had an open shot on net in the previous possession, but Fish got to the ball just before it went into the net and cleared the ball at the last second.
Fish said he was doing his job.
“It’s just doing what you got to do,” Fish said. “Everybody else is busting their butt out there and you just got to do your role.”
Fish was one of five freshmen to start the game and see significant time. Partly due to the injury to junior defender Hugh Cronin, who suffered a broken nose against Maryland and could not play and the absence of senior defender Rami Ghanayem, who was ejected from the Maryland game, which forced him to sit out the following game.
Tarantini said despite the loss, the freshmen stepped up and filled the holes in the lineup.
“We have people that come from the bench and give everything they have,” Tarantini said. “We started five freshmen today, who I am very happy with. We’re getting better. There’s a lot of hope in this team.”
Junior goalkeeper Tom DeStefano started in goal for the second consecutive game and for the second game in a row he gave up three goals. Tarantini said he wanted to get a look at DeStefano, who saw his first action of the season just two games ago against Virginia, and redshirt freshman Chris Widman who started the season.
“We want to evaluate Chris and Tom,” Tarantini said. “No one has the [starting] spot yet. It’s still wide open.”
The schedule does not get any easier from here for State. Next up is top-ranked Clemson at Method Road Stadium on Sunday at 3 p.m.
But for Tarantini there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“I’m proud of my team,” Tarantini said. “In the beginning I knew it would be hard, but I feel by the end we’ll be better.”