Wolfpack Drops Close Match at Duke, 1-0

Caroline Gentry records two shots in loss to Blue Devils

 

DURHAM, N.C. – The NC State women’s soccer team dropped a close match to nearby Atlantic Coast Conference rival Duke on Thursday night, falling by a final score of 1-0 at Koskinen Stadium. A Kim DeCesare goal in the 69th minute proved to be the decisive tally in the match.

 

The Wolfpack was without the services of regular starters Jackie Stengel and Shelli Spamer, each of whom was unable to play due to injuries.

 

Caroline Gentry led the team offensively Thursday night, recording two total shots, one of which was on target. On the defensive side, redshirt freshman goalkeeper Mackenzie Stelljes made five saves throughout the match.

 

“We played well defensively,” said head coach Tim Santoro. “We didn’t give up a whole lot. We managed the game well and were able to get back into it in the second half and create a few chances for ourselves.”

 

NC State played solid defense in the first half of the match, withstanding a Duke (7-6-4, 4-4-3 ACC) attack which launched nine total shots. The Pack defense did a good job of limiting Duke’s quality scoring opportunities in the first 45 minutes, allowing just three shots on goal.

 

The Wolfpack (6-12-0, 1-11-0 ACC) got off to a strong start in the second half, firing two early shots and earning a corner in the first seven minutes immediately following halftime. Coming as a result of a Meagan Proper corner, Gentry flashed a header just wide of the target. The sophomore then hit a shot on target in the 54th minute, but goalkeeper Meghan Thomas was there to make the save.

 

“She (Gentry) has been very solid for us,” Santoro added. “She was good again tonight.”

 

Duke was able to score the decisive goal in the 69th minute when Kim DeCesare received a pass from teammate Kaitlyn Kerr and was able to just beat Stelljes to make it 1-0.

 

Jessica Baity had a shot blocked in the 78th minute and Proper followed this up with NC State’s second corner of the match, but the Blue Devils were able to hold on to the lead in the waning moments of the contest.

 

NC State closes out the regular season at home on Thursday, Oct. 31 against Wake Forest. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. from Dail Soccer Field and will be broadcast live on ESPN3. It will also serve as the team’s Senior Night celebration.

 

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