NC State Edged by Clemson, 1-0

Wolfpack ties season-high shot total with 15 attempts in loss to Tigers

 

RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State women’s soccer team tied its highest shot total of the season on Sunday with 15 attempts, but was edged by the visiting Clemson Tigers, 1-0, at Dail Soccer Field.

 

Sunday’s match was very offensive in nature, as the teams combined for a total of 24 shots, 11 of which were on target. Shelli Spamer led the way in this category, recording six total shots throughout the course of the match. She was one of six NC State student-athletes who recorded at least one shot and was one of four to register two or more.

 

The difference in the match came in the 64th minute when a Clemson forward was fouled in the NC State penalty area. Tabitha Padgett stepped up to the spot a few seconds later and put her shot past redshirt freshman goalkeeper Mackenzie Stelljes to record the only score of the match.

 

“I think this match could have gone either way,” said head coach Tim Santoro. “I told the team that we weren’t good enough in the final third (of the field) during the second half. We had some good opportunities to enhance our scoring chances, but we just weren’t good enough in the final 30 yards during the second half.”

 

The teams traded scoring opportunities through a scoreless first half, combining for 11 total shots in the first 45 minutes. Clemson led the way with seven, three of which were on target. Stelljes was able to stop all three attempts.

 

NC State’s best scoring chance of the first half came in the 30th minute when a wide ball was whipped in to Jackie Stengel 12 yards from goal. The freshman turned and hit a one-time shot which was blocked by the Tiger defense. Stengel then collected the rebound and had another attempt, firing a rising shot just wide of the near post.

 

The Wolfpack earned a penalty kick of its own early in the second frame when sophomore Michelle Oestreich was pulled down in the 51st minute. Spamer stepped up to the spot and fired a shot, but Clemson goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan was able to guess correctly and make the diving stop.

 

State was able to mount one last offensive attack in the 86th minute. Some nice build-up play led to Brittany Stanko possessing the ball just outside the 18-yard box. The sophomore fired a shot towards the near post but Sheridan was in good position to stop the attempt.

 

NC State will next be in action on Thursday, Oct. 17 against current No. 1 Virginia. The Wolfpack will host the Cavaliers at Dail Soccer Field with kickoff set for 7 p.m. The match will serve as NC State’s annual Kay Yow Pink Match and will be broadcast live on ESPN3.

 

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