All signs pointed to a draw — until they didn’t. After a scoreless 88 minutes of action, senior midfielder Will Buete drilled a penalty kick into the back of the net, clinching a last-second penalty kick for a 1-0 victory for NC State men’s soccer over Florida Gulf Coast.
NC State (2-0) has had a flare for the late-game dramatics in head coach Marc Hubbard’s first two games on the sideline. In the season opener against High Point, senior midfielder Vusumzi Plamana scored the game-winner in the 88th minute, the same time mark that Buete netted his goal against the Eagles (0-2).
“It’s a whole collective effort from our bench and staff just to keep going and fighting to the end,” Hubbard said. “That’s who we are and who we want to be as a part of our ethos and character here at NC State.”
Originally it looked like either sophomore forward Hakim Karamoko or junior central-attacking midfielder Taig Healy would take the penalty kick as both stood on the penalty dot for a couple of minutes. But after the game, Buete revealed the plan was always for him to take the kick and Karamoko and Healy were standing there so Buete didn’t feel the pressure while waiting to receive the ball.
When choosing how to attack the goalie on a penalty kick, Buete said he has the same run-up every time but his strategy changes based on what the keeper is showing him. For the senior midfielder, it was pretty simple. Eagles goalie Oliver Weng was leaning to the right so Buete aimed left, slotting the only goal of the game.
“You want a confident kicker and a guy that’s taken it before,” Hubbard said. “He’s been a guy that has consistently gotten it done since I’ve gotten here and I’m proud of him for nailing it.”
Leading up to Buete’s penalty shot, NC State was dominating possession but had nothing to show for it on the scoresheet. It had plenty of chances, though.
In the 35th minute, sophomore forward Donavan Phillip’s shot hit off the crossbar. In the 53rd minute, junior forward Drew Lovelace had a one-on-one opportunity with the goalie but his shot was blocked by a sliding Eagles defender. Four minutes later, fifth-year forward Junior Nare’s shot hit the bottom of the crossbar, just barely staying out of the goal.
A flurry of near misses could’ve easily deflated the Wolfpack but it kept fighting to the very end and was rewarded for its determination.
“We’re getting so many chances — it’s fun,” Buete said. “So we’re still keeping our energy and it’s not dying down early so we were still flying late in the game.”
Critical to the Pack’s victory was its aggressive defense. Under Hubbard, the Wolfpack has adopted a new system of pressuring the opposing team high and early. This high-energy style of play keeps opponents away from the red-and-white’s goal and sets up opportunities like Buete’s penalty kick.
“[Hubbard’s] been great, everybody loves him,” Buete said. “Energy has been better, we’re getting a lot of shots now, just playing a lot more fun brand to play … This year we’re pressing a lot higher, winning the ball a lot higher, and then in turn, out in the field creating chances a lot easier.”
Next up, the Wolfpack will hit the road for a trip to James Madison. The match against the Dukes will be the first road test in Hubbard’s tenure and is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m.
