It looked like NC State men’s soccer (5-3) was headed for a 0-0 draw against North Florida (2-3-3), but a penalty in the 86th minute gave the Wolfpack a perfect opportunity to steal a victory.
Junior midfielder Will Buete stepped up to take the penalty shot and calmly buried it in the back of the net to keep NC State undefeated at home this season. Buete kept his composure in what was a heart-wrenching moment for every fan in Dail Soccer Stadium.
“It’s just me and the ball and I don’t really think about anything else,” Buete said. “I have my same run up I do everytime and I kinda have that stuck in my head.”
The Pack started the game strong, amassing two shots and three corner kicks in the first 25 minutes of the half. Despite a couple of good looks from graduate forward Scotty Taylor and senior forward Junior Nare, the Pack came up empty handed.
“I felt we were a little unlucky in the first 15 minutes not to be up by one,” said head coach George Kiefer. “They could have been a little cleaner on the ball, a little bit more decisive in transition.”
The rest of the first half was an offensive struggle for both sides. The NC State offense only mustered two shots, but held North Florida to zero shots in the first 45 minutes.
After the break, North Florida put on the pressure and had the game’s first shot on goal in the 47th minute. The Ospreys nearly scored in the 64th minute, but the Wolfpack caught a break when the shot deflected off the post. North Florida controlled the ball for most of the second half, collecting three shots on goal and four corner kicks to the Wolfpack’s one shot on goal and two corner kicks.
In an attempt to create more scoring opportunities, Kiefer used 17 players throughout the match.
“I think I have to look at so many guys that haven’t logged minutes that are playing and still get a win,” Kiefer said. “I’m really pleased with that piece of it.”
It was a very physical game that saw the teams combine for 21 fouls. Despite the physicality, NC State was able to stay calm and eventually draw a penalty that set up the game-winning goal.
“It’s the only game in the world where there’s a clock that ticks down to zero so that creates a little anxiety,” Kiefer said. “But I thought our calmness was really good.”
During the first half, graduate defender Kendall Edwards sustained an injury in the 22nd minute of the game that he did not return from.
“He doesn’t think it’s anything too major. He just felt something tighten up,” Kiefer said. “So I was thankful to hear that he didn’t do anything that’s gonna keep him out long term.”
The Wolfpack will hit the road to take on Louisville on Sunday, Sept. 24, before returning back to Dail Soccer Stadium on Wednesday, Sept. 27 when the red-and-white face Gardner-Webb at 7 p.m.
