Despite being out shot 8-6 in a defensive struggle, the Wolfpack defeated the Owls of Florida Atlantic 1-0 on Tuesday afternoon to run its record to 8-7-2. With only a senior night contest against Virginia remaining, State will wrap up the regular season Saturday night against the Cavaliers before heading into the ACC Tournament.
On a sunny, cool day in early November, Chris Zuerner struck home the match’s only goal past Owl keeper Jeremy Crumpton at the 37:20 mark. Zuerner collected a long pass from junior Zane Tharakan before dribbling through FAU’s defense and sliding in his sixth goal of the season. The score tied him for the team lead with fellow senior Tyler Lassiter.
”It was just one of those goals you wouldn’t expect,” Zuerner said. “It was a good layoff by Tyler there in the midfield and I got some help by Craig (Sutherland). He kind of took one of the defenders away and I took the open space, beat a couple of guys, and was able to put it in the back of the net.”
By recording the 1-0 shut out in a rare weekday matinee, State finished the year with a +14 goal differential while playing non-conference opponents at Dail Soccer Stadium. However, that success has not carried over into ACC play. Zuerner said the team was determined on attempting to win its first conference match up of the year versus a talented No. 5 ranked Virginia Cavaliers squad.
”Virginia’s a great team,” Zuerner said. “It’s going to take another strong defensive effort to hold them at bay, but we’ll be ready.”
Other than Zuerner’s key play nearing the end of the first half, Tuesday’s game was mainly an exercise in patience as both teams sat back, conservatively playing the ball around the perimeter. With only one save having to be made on either side of the pitch, Coach Tarantini said it was a hard fought, physical win for his team.
”We need to show heart and determination in everything we do,” Tarantini said. “Today, believe it or not, it’s a hard win and we did whatever we needed to do to win.”
As senior night approaches, the long time Wolfpack head man said he realizes the importance of maintaining confidence heading into the ACC tournament. Not surprisingly, Tarantini also said he acknowledges that it will be an emotional night considering he has helped develop players like Lassiter and Zuerner over the past four years.
”It’s four years of your life,” Tarantini said. “It’s four years of sacrifice, four years to give so many things. You have to come here with pride not only because you played here for four years, but because it’s NC State. It would be very hard for me to see those four guys lose, they’re a part of our family.”
As the trip to nearby WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary looms next Tuesday, Tarantini said the message to his team will be very direct for Saturday night’s contest as State matches up with a ranked opponent for the seventh occasion this season.
”We need to win,” Tarantini said. “That’s the only way to get confidence.”
