The NC State women’s soccer team will host undefeated East Carolina University Thursday at 7 p.m. at Dail Soccer Stadium.
The Wolfpack (4-1-0) is coming off its largest win of the season, a convincing 5-0 decision at Elon University Monday. The Pirates (4-0-1) tied their first game of the season to Old Dominion on Sunday.
The ECU matchup kicks off the first of five straight home games for the Pack.
Four wins and one loss is NC State’s best record through its first five games since 2013, when the Wolfpack also went 4-1-0. State currently boosts a plus-10 goal differential as well, outscoring its opponents 13-3.
While it’s true ECU has yet to drop a game in 2017, the Pirates haven’t faced particularly difficult competition thus far. Smaller schools Towson, Campbell and Davidson were three of ECU’s first five opponents. Those schools are a combined 7-9-1 this year. Additionally, the Pirates haven’t won any games by more than one goal and currently hold a narrow plus-four goal differential.
Although ECU hasn’t been an offensive force so far this season, its defense has paved the way for many of its wins. Redshirt senior goalie Michelle Newhouse was recently named AAC Goalkeeper of the Week after not allowing a single goal in three straight games. Overall, the Pirates defense has only let in three goals in five games.
Led by sophomore midfielder Tziarra King, who has netted three goals to go with four assists, the Wolfpack has had little trouble putting goals away over the early course of the season. The team has only been shut out once, the 2-0 loss to Princeton Saturday, and has scored three or more goals three times already.
Perhaps more impressive so far for the Wolfpack has been its defense and goalkeeper. Together, the backline and junior goalie Sydney Wootten have given up only three goals on 25 shots for a .120 shooting percentage against. By comparison, the Pack has attempted 74 shots, converting on 13 of them.
Thursday’s game will pit a relentless attacking team on the offensive end in NC State against a defensive-minded squad in ECU, making for what promises to be an interesting matchup.
Besides ECU, NC State only has one game remaining before it kicks off its first ACC game against goliath No. 6 Virginia on Sept. 15. That other game will come against Davidson Sunday.
With the Pirates and the Wildcats left on the schedule before Virginia, it is certainly not far-fetched to say NC State has a solid chance to reach ACC play with six wins under its belt.
