Wolfpack Edged in 2OT by Syracuse, 2-1

NC State records a season-high 16 shots in loss to Orange

 

RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State women’s soccer team was edged in a double-overtime thriller by the visiting Syracuse Orange Sunday afternoon at Dail Soccer Field, falling by a final score of 2-1. The match was the first-ever meeting between NC State and the Atlantic Coast Conference newcomer.

 

State (6-11-0, 1-10-0 ACC) recorded a season-high 16 shots in the match, nine of which were on target. Jackie Stengel led the way offensively for the Wolfpack, hitting five shots, one of which provided State’s goal on the afternoon. She was one of six NC State student-athletes who recorded a shot during the match.

 

Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Mackenzie Stelljes had a very strong day in net, making a career-high 11 saves in the loss.

 

“This was a disappointing result,” said head coach Tim Santoro. “We controlled the first half but didn’t get enough out of it. In that second overtime period, we had three great chances to score and Brittany (Anghel) made some great saves for them.

 

It’s disappointing for the players, because they played well enough to win the game today,” Santoro added.

 

State played a very solid first half, outshooting the visitors by a 9-6 mark. Stengel was a large part of this offensive pressure, ripping four shots—two on target—in the first 45 minutes. Key to the early success of the NC State offense was good delivery from Meagan Proper, who time and again was sending balls over the Syracuse defense and into the path of NC State forwards.

 

One of the best chances of the opening frame came in the 32nd minute when Jennie Krauser was the recipient of one of the aforementioned Proper passes. Krauser hit a half-volley from 15 yards out, but the onrushing Brittany Anghel was able to just parry the shot wide and out for a corner kick.

 

Syracuse (7-9-1, 3-7-1 ACC) took a 1-0 lead in the 61st minute at the end of a frantic play in the NC State penalty area. Maya Pitts hit a shot off the crossbar, the rebound of which came to Jackie Firenze. Her attempt at goal was saved by Stelljes but Taylor Haenlin was able to knock in the rebound to put the Orange on top.

 

State answered back immediately with Stengel’s ninth goal of the season. Caroline Gentry was running up the wing and curled in a very nice cross to the freshman forward. Stengel made no mistake with it, tucking the ball into the far corner to level the match and score her team-leading ninth goal of the season.

 

The two teams went through the rest of regulation and the first full overtime period scoreless. The Wolfpack created three strong scoring opportunities beginning in the 104th minute when Brittany Stanko hit a sharp header on target. Her attempt was met with a diving save by goalkeeper Brittany Anghel. Gentry then had an attempt that was blocked in the 106th minute and Stanko followed this up with another shot which was saved in the 107th minute.

 

Immediately following an NC State corner, the Orange scored against the run of play on a two-on-one counterattack. Alexis Koval bolted down the left side of the field and timed a pass well, finding teammate Stephanie Skilton open in the penalty area. Skilton, the team’s leading goal scorer, was able to beat Stelljes in the 109th minute to end the match in favor of Syracuse.

 

NC State will next be in action on Thursday, Oct. 24 at Duke. The Wolfpack and Blue Devils will kick off at 7 p.m. in Durham, N.C.