Two second-half goals from senior forward Clayton Sparks and junior midfielder Gabriel Machado propelled the NC State men’s soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Presbyterian Friday night at Dail Soccer Stadium.
The Wolfpack (3-0-0) has now won three straight, including two shutouts in a row, to open the year, while Presbyterian (0-3-0) finds itself trailing on the opposite end of the spectrum.
“I thought the guys put in a solid shift,” head coach George Kiefer said. “We pride ourselves on getting shutouts and I think two clean sheets in a row is good.”
The Wolfpack has only conceded one goal this year, owing to excellent play from sophomore goalkeeper Leon Krapf and an adept defensive line.
Despite several promising chances, the Blue Hose held the Pack scoreless in the first half thanks to a solid defensive back line. NC State was able to manage six shots with two shots on goal but nothing to show for it as Presbyterian held tight and didn’t give the Wolfpack many open looks.
The bulk of Presbyterian’s chances in the first half came on the counterattack as the Pack held the advantage in possession. The Blue Hose found a little breathing room on the offensive end, something that the Pack cleaned up at the half.
“Defensively, we wanted to close the internal lanes a bit better, because we opened up a couple good shots for Presbyterian in the first half,” Krapf said. “They didn’t have any dangerous shots in the second half, so those were good adjustments.”
The Wolfpack took a 1-0 lead in the second half with a goal from Machado, his second of the season. Sophomore forward Manny Perez set up Blotko with a pass on the right side. Blotko crossed it in to sophomore forward David Loera whose header was saved by the keeper, but then Machado knocked in the rebound.
“After the goal I couldn’t think anything; I was just happy,” Machado said. “The atmosphere was great and that was a great game. I feel that we have a lot to improve but we’re doing great so far.”
The two teams played a physical match, tallying a total of 28 fouls, five of which were yellow cards. NC State received three of the five cautions; one by Blotko in the first half, and one each by David Norris and Pepe Garcia in the second half.
NC State sealed the match on a goal from Sparks, his first of the season. Sparks received the ball in the box on a right-side cross from Perez and put it past the keeper to make it 2-0 Wolfpack.
Loera and Perez were both credited with assists, with Loera picking up his second assist of the game.
“Every single time I always either want to score or create,” Loera said. “The guys just find me in great spots and I just try to execute, pull all the other guys in, or try my luck on goal.”
The Wolfpack will look to make it four consecutive wins to open the season when it faces William and Mary Monday at 7 p.m.
