After an emotional senior day presentation, the men’s soccer team took down No. 15 Virginia 2-0 in the final game of the regular season Saturday night. Though it was the coldest game of the season, the fans were still in attendance showing their support as the Pack (9-7-2, 1-5-2 ACC) won its first conference game of the year against the defending national champion Cavaliers. The student section showed its pride as well, as the group known as “Red Alert” made its voice heard.
“Our level of intensity is inversely proportional to the distance from the Event One staff,” sophomore in biology Rickey Smith said. “So the further they are from us, the rowdier we can get. If some of them know us personally though, we might be able to get away with more.”
Seniors Tyler Lassiter, Lucas Carpenter, Chris Zuerner and Akil DeFreitas were all recognized for their dedication to the team during their careers with the Wolfpack. The rest of the seniors made up for Lucas Carpenter’s absence, which was due to injury.
Lassiter and Zuerner pushed the tempo through most of the game, attempting a combined four shots. DeFreitas played his part as he recorded both an assist and a goal for the match. In the 32nd minute, DeFreitas managed to break free from two UVA defenders and found junior Craig Sutherland who put the ball in the back of the net, giving State the lead. DeFreitas attributed his quick pace of play to his natural ability.
“It’s just natural [speed],” DeFreitas said. “My dad is fast and I guess genetics worked in my favor. It’s nothing I practice. It’s just my given ability.”
Only three minutes into the second half, DeFreitas once again showed his seniority as he quickly dribbled the ball past a UVA defender and scored on an assist from sophomore midfielder Michael Smith, pushing the Pack’s lead to 2-0.
From there, the game became very defensive as both teams received a combined total of eight yellow cards. Sophomore defender David Brown was the cause of a yellow card early in the second half. Brown collided with UVA star Will Bates and fell to the ground, only to have Bates fall directly on him. Brown noted that the collision wasn’t intentional, but that as a defender, it’s important to be physical.
“Right from the beginning, me and Sonny [Mukungu] just try and get somebody,” Brown said. “We have to send a message across that says, ‘You can’t dribble at us.’ You have to get them scared and knowing that we’re there. It sets the tempo for the rest of the game and makes them a little timid.”
The team effort by the Pack was something that very few see. The seniors, on their last night at home, showed they were leaving a great program, but that there were also some great players to come. The coaching staff was sure to recognize the efforts of both the seniors and the rest of the Pack.
“The seniors have a tremendous commitment to win,” coach George Tarantini said. “When you have that, everything is easy. I am very proud for what we have accomplished. In three days, we have to play one of the best tournaments in the country. We welcome the challenge and we treasure the opportunity.”
The Wolfpack will return to action Tuesday at 1 p.m. as it takes on Virginia Tech in the ACC Tournament at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.
