A thirty minute rain delay couldn’t slow down the Wolfpack in their Friday night showdown with No. 13-ranked Boston College. Right from the start, N.C . State played with passion and energy in their 2-1 victory over the Eagles. In the ninth minute, freshman forward Zabarle Kollie intercepted a slow pass back to BC goalkeeper Justin Luthy from defensemen Stefan Carter, dribbled the ball into the box and placed it into the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead.
Coach Kelly Findley thought the way the team came out of the gates and quickly took the lead set the stage for success.
“[The energy] was huge, and then you come out and get that goal,” Findley said. “[The other team’s] confidence gets hurt, and we gain confidence. It is cliché to say goals change games, but they do.”
Following the goal, State continued to control the tempo and possession of the game. Boston College did not get a shot on goal until nearly midway through the first half.
The Eagles caught a break when State fouled an opposing player about 30 feet outside the goal 28 minutes into the game. Midfielder Kyle Bekker took the free kick for Boston College. The shot landed near the six-yard line and bounced over diving sophomore goalkeeper Fabian Otte to tie the game 1-1.
After the goal, momentum swung back to the Eagles as they controlled most of the possession the remainder of the half. They did allow a three-on-one break away that was stopped from behind by Carter, resulting in a yellow card with three minutes remaining in the half. To finish the half, both teams had three shots on goal.
In the second half, each team had solid scoring chances in attempts to claim the lead. The Wolfpack’s best chances came from quickly moving the ball around and free kicks taken by sophomore midfielder Ryan Metts . Boston College’s top scoring opportunity came off forward Charlie Rugg’s blistering shot to the low right corner that was stopped by Otte’s diving save to his left. The game appeared to be headed into overtime until freshman midfielder Matt Ingram got the ball in space in the center of the offensive zone with less than four minutes left and played the ball to Kollie near the top the box. Kollie chipped it over the sprawling keeper into the goal and sealed the 2-1 victory over the Eagles.
Throughout the entire game, Kollie used his speed to form scoring opportunities for State.
“They weren’t that fast,” Kollie said. “So pressuring them was key and when they made a mistake, I just got on top of it.”
Ingram thought the team’s attitude boosted the its performance.
“The difference between today and our previous game was our attitude,” Ingram said. “Today, we were all clicking and having fun. Having fun out there made a difference in creating chances and making runs. Things just work for you.”
Findley agreed with how having the right attitude is essential to the team.
“It’s all about attitude for us,” Findley said. “Again, our standard is how we play in the game. It doesn’t matter our opponent, venue or weather condition. What matters most is consistency.
“I thought we played with great confidence tonight, moved the ball really well, and scored two great goals,” Findley said. “We were really pleased with our attitude and [our success] executing the game plan we had.”
Ingram believed the win is important for State to move forward in the season.
“It was a huge win for us,” Ingram said. “We had to put the past two games behind us because in the ACC, every game counts.”
The win gives the Wolfpack its first ACC win of the season and improves its record to 4-4-2. Overall, men’s soccer has won all three home games and has a season record of 5-3-1. On Tuesday, the Wolfpack will travel to Campbell University to take on the Camels.
