The NC State men’s soccer team lost in overtime to the High Point Panthers Tuesday night at Dail Soccer Stadium in Raleigh.
After tying the game in the 89th minute to force overtime, the Pack fell short allowing High Point to score the game winner. The heartbreaking loss drops the Wolfpack to 3-9-0 on the season while the Panthers improve to 7-3-2.
“I think we just have to win the moments,” head coach Kelly Findley said. “You can’t score three goals in a game and not win as far as I’m concerned.”
After a slow start to the game the Wolfpack opened up the scoring with a penalty conversion by sophomore Julius Duchscherer in the 21st minute. Sophomore Tanner Roberts was pulled down at the top of the box by High Point’s Rashid Tetteh to give State the penalty kick.
The Panthers retaliated with a goal of their own from Siggi Benonysson in the 28th minute. The ball was advanced down the field from Johnny Fenwick that beat the defense, allowing Benonysson to convert on a 1-on-1 attempt pass redshirt junior Wolfpack goalie Boo Davis, who was making his first-career start. Along with Fenwick, High Point’s Ryan Inman was also credited with an assist on the play.
The teams exchanged chances to close out the first half, but entered halftime still tied at one. The first half was a physical battle and the teams combined for 15 fouls, including three yellow cards for High Point. The goalies were put to work with 11 shots and three corner kicks from the two teams combined.
The Wolfpack came out strong offensively to start the second half, putting six shots on the board in the first 25 minutes of play, compared to the Panther’s zero. The pressure was led by Duchscherer who took four of the six shots for the Pack.
The offensive attack paid off for State in the 71st minute when senior Lukas Zarges found the back of the net on a sliding effort to put the Pack up 2-1. Zarges finished off a low cross from freshmen Jan-Luca Ahillen that was set up by a quick throw-in from senior Travis Wannemuehler. Both Ahillen and Wannemuehler were credited with assists.
High Point evened the score up yet again in the 80th minute with a rocket shot off of the foot of Jon Bolanos from about 30 yards out. The ball stayed low as it found the bottom corner of the net to bring the score to 2-2.
The Panthers took the lead shortly after with an 87th minute goal from Benonysson. A shot by Bolanos was initially saved by Davis and the rebound fell right to Benonysson who calmly slotted it into the back of the net to put High Point up 3-2. Bolanos was given an assist on the play.
The Wolfpack bounced right back to even the score at 3-3 in the 89th minute. Roberts played a ball on the outside and centered a low cross into the box to Duchscherer, who played a one touch pass to the foot of Wannemuehler who redirected the ball into the net. Assists were given to both Roberts and Duchscherer.
“We showed great resilience,” Findley said. “I’m disappointed. Overtime is a cruel animal because it’s great to win in overtime but it’s terrible to lose.”
High Point closed out the game just five minutes into the overtime period with a goal from Bolanos. The ball was settled by Benonysson followed by some nifty footwork to clear up a passing lane to Bolanos who finished to the bottom right corner of the goal.
Despite the tough loss, the Wolfpack is staying positive according to redshirt sophomore Nick Retzlaff.
“The ball is not exactly falling our way,” Retzlaff said. “But as a team we continue to push and push and it will start falling our way.”
The Wolfpack play again Saturday against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Dail Soccer Stadium.
