Seeking its fifth-straight victory, the NC State women’s soccer team will host Louisville in its regular season finale Thursday night at Dail Soccer Stadium.
The Wolfpack (12-4-1, 5-3-1 ACC) is coming off a 1-0 win over Virginia Tech, thanks to an extra-time goal by junior forward Maxine Blackwood, while the Cardinals (9-6-2, 3-4-2 ACC) most recently tied No. 5 UNC-Chapel Hill on the road.
With the win over the Hokies, the Wolfpack clinched its second-straight berth to the ACC Championships, in which only the top eight teams in the conference qualify. Head Coach Tim Santoro’s squad also eclipsed not only last season’s overall win total, but its ACC win total as well. The Pack also has a chance to host a match in the ACC Tournament depending on the outcome of its final match in the regular season.
The Pack will look to continue its hot streak when it faces the Cardinals. State currently sits in fourth place in the ACC, while Louisville holds on to the ninth spot in the conference.
While Louisville’s record in the ACC may be lacking, it will by no means be an easy victory for the Pack. As mentioned above, Louisville brought a tough Tar Heel squad to double overtime and did the same to then-No. 15 Wake Forest. The Cards also brought both No. 4 Duke and No. 22 Virginia to double overtime before losing. Needless to say, it’s been a tough season for Louisville.
While Blackwood scored the game-winner Sunday, it has been sophomore midfielder Tziarra King. King has paced the team with 24 points this season on nine goals and six assists. Blackwood, sophomore midfielder Ricci Walkling, and sophomore forward Kia Rankin are all tied for second on the team with 10 points each.
The defense has also been impressive for NC State. Freshman Lulu Guttenberger, sophomore Krissi Schuster and juniors Hannah Keogh and Ella Bonner have been key this season, along with junior goalkeeper Sydney Wootten. The group has helped the Wolfpack to 10 shutouts on the season, including its current streak of three straight.
Louisville’s Emina Ekic has been a dynamic scorer for the Cardinals this year with 17 points, and defending her well will be key to a Wolfpack victory.
While the Wolfpack may not have a marquee win like last year’s squad did when it beat UNC on the road, the 2017 team has consistently defeated solid ACC opponents this season while taking care of its non-conference slate. Wins over Clemson, Virginia Tech, Boston College and a draw against Virginia should put the Pack in the field of 64 for the NCAA Tournament, regardless of its showing in the ACC Championship.
It will be the final regular season home match for NC State seniors Dakota Stephens, Rachel Cox, Karina Lacey, Cailyn Boch, Jackie Stengel and Harley James. The match will take place at 7 p.m.
