The men’s soccer team defeated Navy 2-1 Tuesday night at home. The victory made the Pack’s record 7-6-2 and marked the first time the team has been over .500 since the first game of the season.
A more aggressive Navy team, whose possession led to frequent N.C. State defensive errors, dominated the first half. A pass headed back to the goalkeeper on the Pack side missed its target and would have been an own goal had it not been saved by a heroic effort from redshirt junior goalkeeper Will Mackvick, who suffered an injury in the process and had to be substituted in the 24th minute.
In the 41st minute Navy midfielder Patrick Sopko opened up the scoring and put his team in the lead after a cross from Navy defender Sean Divoky went untouched by the Wolfpack defense.
The Pack struggled in the first half without senior defenders Tyler Lassiter and Lucas Carpenter. Their absence was felt by the team’s captain, senior midfielder, Chris Zuerner.
“You know whenever you lose two seniors, there’s a lot of experience missing,” said Zuerner. “Someone else has to step up.”
Coach George Tarantini noticed the Pack’s poor play in the first half, but saw improvement in the team’s effort and play as the game went on.
“The players were struggling in the first half,” Tarantini. “They had possession of the ball and we did not. In the second half, we controlled the ball and put on a lot more shots and more opportunities to score.”
Ten of the Pack’s 13 shots occurred in the second half, which resulted in two Wolfpack goals. The first goal was scored in the 73rd minute by redshirt sophomore defenseman Chandler Knox off of a rebound inside the penalty box.
Two minutes later, a long throw by junior defenseman Zane Tharakan led to a headed goal by fellow defenseman and true freshman, John Lung’aho, to put the Pack in the lead by a goal.
“It was my first goal,” Tharakan said. “I didn’t want to go in at first because I was tired. Coach told me to go in. I just went in and tried to do what I could.”
This Sunday, the Pack hits the road to play against Clemson and will be desperate for a win in the ACC as the team has yet to capture a win in the ACC, as it is 0-4-2 in conference play.
“We need to win,” Tarantini said. “I think we will be ready to go.”
