Pack off to 1-1 start in ACC

<p>Redshirt freshman midfielder Meagan Proper wards off a Boston College defender, Alaina Beyar, during the second half of an intense match against the no. 4-ranked Eagles Sunday afternoon. In 19 minutes of play, Proper played well off the bench but her efforts came up short as the Pack lost the game 1-0. North Carolina State is now 1-1-0 in ACC conference play. Photo by Jonathan Millner.</p>

Redshirt freshman midfielder Meagan Proper wards off a Boston College defender, Alaina Beyar, during the second half of an intense match against the no. 4-ranked Eagles Sunday afternoon. In 19 minutes of play, Proper played well off the bench but her efforts came up short as the Pack lost the game 1-0. North Carolina State is now 1-1-0 in ACC conference play. Photo by Jonathan Millner.

Jeniece Jamison, Senior Staff Writer

On Thursday, N.C. State headed to South Carolina to open its conference schedule against the Clemson Tigers. State came out on top in the match with a 1-0 victory. Forward Tanya Cain scored the game-winning goal in the 70th minute of the match off of a rebound from Clemson goalie Lauren Arnold.

“We knew going in that Clemson was a team that we needed to beat in the ACC, so we try to win every game,” Cain said. “I think Ariela [Schreibeis] took the shot in the game. Just like the game at FIU, Steve [Springthorpe] told me to follow the shot, and that’s exactly what I did.”

Goalkeeper Kim Kern notched her third consecutive shutout of the season and made seven saves on the day. All seven of State’s wins this season have been shutouts by Kern.

On Sunday afternoon, the Wolfpack came back to Raleigh to play host to Boston College. The Eagles came into the game with an 8-0-1 record. The first half proved to be a challenge for the Pack offensively. Its first and only shot on goal of the half came from Cain, as she missed to the far right of the goal.

Boston College attempted seven shots on goal in the half, but Kern was able to deter them from scoring with five saves. But, at the 23rd minute of the half, Kern allowed a goal from midfielder Kristie Mewis to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.

“They had a lot of breakaways in the first half, and one of them was a goal,” Kern said.

To open the second half, forward Kara Baldy attempted a header that ricocheted off the top crossbar, but did not go in.

State had a scoring opportunity in the final eight minutes of the game, but the official ruled a critical run offside. The Pack never had another opportunity after that play, leaving the final score at 1-0, Boston College.

“They’re not 9-0-1 for any other reason other than they’re good,” coach Steve Springthorpe said. “They came in here and they took it to us. Credit goes to them for finding results on the road.”

The Wolfpack will return to action in Raleigh on Friday when they take on rival UNC.