In the final nonconference match of the season for NC State women’s soccer, the Wolfpack defeated Gardner-Webb 4-0 Sunday night at Dail Soccer Stadium.
A dominating performance on both sides of the ball helped the Wolfpack close out nonconference play and extend its winning streak to five games. NC State improved to 6-2-0 and Gardner-Webb dropped to 2-5-2.
“After about 15 to 20 minutes we found a good rhythm and were able to start creating chances,” NC State head coach Tim Santoro said.
The Wolfpack threatened in the 15th minute when freshman Tziarra King cut to the outside and ripped a shot off the crossbar.
Later in the match, Gardner-Webb goalkeeper Keely Brown made a diving save on a shot by freshman Kia Rankin to the bottom corner, keeping the game scoreless.
NC State eventually broke through in the 26th minute when a perfectly placed thru ball from senior Rachel Cox allowed Rankin to put it away for her first goal of the season and the first of her collegiate career.
“It was an awesome feeling; it was like a rush,” Rankin said of her first goal. “Credit to my teammates for helping me get in that position, thankfully I was able to finish it and we were able to go up 1-0.”
After the Gardner-Webb defense mishit a Schuster cross, Rankin found the ball at her feet inside the box. She drove the ball low into the far corner of the net, giving her a second goal for the night and putting the Wolfpack up 2-0 at the half.
NC State dominated the first half, outshooting the Runnin’ Bulldogs 17-1 and holding possession for the majority of the first period of play.
The second half saw more of the same style of play from both squads. Gardner-Webb again employed a defensive strategy, allowing the Wolfpack to be in the offensive zone for most of the period.
The Wolfpack’s third goal came when Michaela van Maanen floated a corner kick across the face of the net, letting fellow freshman Frances Henshall rise up and head the ball in for her first goal of the year.
NC State’s fourth and final goal came in the 82nd minute when Henshall placed a low cross from the right side to a wide open van Maanen in the box, who put it away for her third goal on the season, putting the Wolfpack up comfortably, 4-0.
Redshirt junior Jackie Stengel left the game with an apparent right knee injury in the 4th minute. There is no update on her status.
The Wolfpack tallied 35 shots on the night — its highest total this season — besting its previous high of 21 shots against La Salle earlier in the season. The Runnin’ Bulldogs recorded just three shots the entire match.
“I’m pleased where we are,” Santoro said. “We had a tough nonconference schedule and we did well, and it’s a different animal coming up now.”
The Wolfpack travels to Chapel Hill for its first ACC matchup of the season when its plays in-state rival North Carolina Friday at 5 p.m.
