Despite multiple goal-scoring opportunities and a wide shot advantage, the NC State men’s soccer team drew USC Upstate 0-0 Tuesday night at Dail Soccer Stadium as the Spartans and their goalkeeper were able to fend off the Wolfpack attack.
The Wolfpack moves to 6-4-2 (2-3-0 ACC) while the Spartans now own a 2-8-2 record on the season.
“I said to the guys, ‘It’s a cruel game we play sometimes,” head coach George Kiefer said. “I thought we had four looks where, typically, one of the guys hits one of those.”
The match was evenly contested throughout the first half. While neither team picked up a goal, both sides had their opportunities. The Pack seemed to hold possession for a majority of the half, getting off four shots, including one on goal, thanks to a header by junior Tanner Roberts.
The physicality of both defenses showed, as the two squads combined for 11 fouls in the first half alone. The Spartans were whistled for seven while the Pack was responsible for four.
The second half of the match was more of the same. The Spartans picked up six more fouls, a result of the Wolfpack constantly being on the attack. In the same period, State got off six more shots, four on goal, and earned five corner kicks.
Despite the more dominant play, the Wolfpack was unable to capitalize in regulation as Upstate forced overtime.
Both overtime periods were characterized by the Wolfpack’s persistent attack. State got off five more shots and earned three corners in extra time but was unable to score thanks to several excellent saves by the Spartan goalkeeper CJ Cluck.
The physical battle continued in the second half. USC Upstate was charged with 16 fouls in total while the Wolfpack picked up 13. The Spartans also saw two yellow cards while the Pack picked up one. All of the cards came in overtime as the match came to a close and both teams attempted to capitalize on goal-scoring opportunities.
“They were good,” Roberts said of the Spartans. “We did what we could, we came out here, we had our own game plan, and that’s all we can do is stick to our own game plan.”
Despite outshooting the Spartans 15-6, the final score read 0-0. Cluck ended the match with seven saves.
“I think its good management of our guys, you keep a shutout, you don’t let them on the board and you move it and create good chances,” Kiefer said. “I can’t walk away too unhappy with the group, I feel that they deserve more tonight with how they played.”
The Pack will resume its conference slate when it hosts No. 11 Virginia Friday at 7 p.m. at Dail Soccer Stadium.
