October 2, 2018

 

RALEIGH – Wolfpack sophomore goalkeeper Leon Krapf made four saves en route to earning the 12th shutout of his career as the 17th-ranked NC State men’s soccer team (6-2-2) earned a hard-fought 0-0 draw with visiting James Madison (5-3-2) Tuesday evening at Dail Soccer Stadium.

 

The draw keeps NC State unbeaten at home this season, as the Wolfpack is 5-0-2 in Raleigh and has played in front of strong crowds averaging 1,066 fans per match.

 

Postgame Notes

-JMU leads the all-time series 3-1-1.

-Tuesday’s match was the first meeting in Raleigh between the teams since 1979.

-In its second season under head coach George Kiefer, the Wolfpack is unbeaten in the month of October (4-0-4).

-Freshman midfielder AJ Seals made his Wolfpack career debut in the match. He had been sidelined by a summer injury prior to Tuesday evening.

-Sophomore midfielder Jose Morales Jr. earned his first career start.

-James Madison outshot the Wolfpack by a 15-7 margin.

 

The teams played to a scoreless first half, with JMU recording five shots and six corner kicks. Krapf was tested on one occasion, and made a comfortable save on an Aaron Ward-Baptiste shot in the 12th minute. The most dangerous James Madison attempt in the first half came via a well-executed corner kick in the 30th minute when senior defender Simon Blotko held his ground at the near post and made a defensive save on an attempt by Carson Jeffris that was on target.

 

The Wolfpack generated five shots during the second half of the contest. Brad Sweeney, a sophomore who has already scored two set-piece goals this season, hit a free kick on target in the 74th minute. JMU goalkeeper TJ Bush was there to make the save. Classmate David Loera hit a first-time attempt towards the goal in the 87th minute, but his shot was blocked by a well-timed sliding challenge from a JMU defender.

 

Krapf made an important save in the 89th minute on a Billy Metzler attempt from just outside the penalty area.

 

The teams combined for six total shots in the two overtime periods, but neither side was able to strike the decisive blow.

 

NC State returns to action on Friday evening when the team visits Boston College for an ACC road match. Kickoff between the Wolfpack and Eagles is scheduled for 7 pm from Newton Campus Lacrosse & Soccer Field.

 

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