After scoring twice in the first 15 minutes, the No. 20 NC State men’s soccer team held on to defeat Wofford 2-1 Tuesday night at Dail Soccer Stadium.

 A penalty kick from freshman midfielder Julius Duchscherer in the 10th minute gave the Wolfpack (5-1-0, 1-0 ACC) a 1-0 lead, and a sublime half volley from junior midfielder Yanni Hachem would double the Pack’s advantage less than three minutes later. The previously undefeated Terriers (4-1-1) got one back on a penalty kick from senior midfielder Nestor Jaramillo in the 74th minute, but the Pack would see out its fifth win of the season.

“I think it was a great result, because this was one of the hardest games to play,” Wolfpack head coach Kelly Findley said. “We beat Boston College in a huge, emotional game in overtime, first league game, and then we have Virginia on the weekend. This is an incredibly difficult game to play in because you’re always looking ahead.”

From the beginning, the contest felt like a trap game, as NC State didn’t start as sharply as it wanted to. Wofford would strike the crossbar of senior Wolfpack goalkeeper Alex McCauley’s goal less than three minutes into the game, and the athletic and experienced Terriers proved a handful in the opening minutes.

“Wofford [was] undefeated,” said Findley, noting the opponent’s strong play. “They won 14 games last year; they have seven seniors in their lineup, so you’re gonna get a full effort, ‘World Cup’ type mentality from them, and they have nothing to lose. We have everything to lose.” 

The Pack quickly recovered and found a rhythm, however, as the lineup that’s started four of NC State’s five games so far began to string passes together, eventually resulting in the team taking the lead.  

Sophomore attacking midfielder Zach Knudson played Duchscherer through on goal, and his touch past junior Wofford goalkeeper Garrett Closs forced the opposing keeper into tripping the Duchscherer inside the penalty box. Referee Mark Kadlecik quickly pointed to the spot to signal an NC State penalty kick, which was dutifully dispatched by Duchscherer. 

The Wolfpack would not have to wait long to add to its lead. An NC State corner kick rebounded out to Hachem in the 13th minute, and the former Cardinal Gibbons star caught the ball perfectly on the half volley, sending it streaking into the top right corner of the Wofford net.

The Pack then tried to defend its lead while looking for goals on the counter attack, with game management a primary concern, but a few mix-ups allowed Wofford’s forwards to generate opportunities NC State scrambled to clear. Findley was critical of his team’s lack of focus limiting the Terriers’ chances.

“I think we usually do that really well,” Findley said. “I think tonight was the exception. We didn’t do a great job of keeping the ball and we had some really bad giveaways that caused us all kinds of problems.”

On one occasion in particular in the first half, McCauley was forced 25 yards from his goal to clear a chance after two Pack players missed a clearance and allowed a Wofford player through.

“If I was to put a scouting report out about us, I would say that we try to keep the line high and tight and try to compact space,” Findley said. “If they get it and put it in early, that’s going to be dangerous. I thought [Wofford] tried to exploit that.”

 Despite conceding chances, the Pack maintained its lead thanks to alert covering from McCauley and senior center back Reed Norton. Norton’s speed at the back has been a big factor in NC State’s good defensive record so far. The Evans, Georgia native has played all over the field since transferring to the school in 2014. At times a left back, left winger or center forward, Norton has found a home in the heart of State’s defense next to his former club teammate and senior captain Holden Fender.

“Holden’s a smart player,” Norton said. “It’s really easy to play with him. He’s very vocal. We’ve known each other for a while, so in terms of sustaining that relationship we’ve had it for a while. I played center back before [State] so it wasn’t that big of a transition. It was really just adjusting from being up top to being at center back, but I thought it’s been a pretty easy transition and it’s worked out well for the team.”

The final 26 minutes of the match were tense. Wofford was gifted a penalty kick goal when a cross inadvertently deflected onto Fender’s hand, and the Pack had to prevent a motivated team on the road from leveling the game at two goals apiece. 

NC State did enough to see out the match and grab a crucial fifth win and now looks toward its second ACC clash of the season against reigning national champs, No. 6 Virginia (3-0-2, 0-0-1 ACC), this Friday in Charlottesville.