The NC State men’s soccer team was defeated in overtime by St. John’s 1-0 Sunday night at Dail Soccer Field.
Forward Tani Oluwaseyi got a hold of a loose ball in the box during the second overtime period and was able to smash the ball into the back of the net to give the Red Storm (2-0) the win.
NC State goalkeeper, redshirt senior Vinnie Durand, who got the start in place of the injured Leon Krapf, committed a foul inside the box minutes before the game-winning goal. In only his first career start, Durand made a crucial penalty kick save to his left to keep the game alive for NC State (1-1).
“Leon has been phenomenal for us and you know I think part of the focus of keepers is making sure you’re pushing whos in front of you,” Durand said. “I know Leon knows I pushed him and whether he knew it or not, he pushed me everytime, so it’s a special day for me, I hope I can grow from it and learn and get better.”
In an evenly-played match that lacked creativity for large portions of the 90 minutes, the non- conference match came to life in the final few minutes of regulation and overtime. The Wolfpack had seven shots on the night, with only two on target, while the Red Storm had eight shots total, with just two on target.
“That’s the rules, that’s how we have to play,” NC State head coach George Kiefer said in response to the sudden death overtime rules. “Give St. John’s credit, they did what they had to do tonight.”
The first half of the game was very dull with rain steadily coming down for a good portion of the half. It wasn’t until 25 minutes into the game when either team recorded their its shot, with St. John’s doing so.
It was not until the final minute of the first half that NC State was able to record its first shot on a strike from junior midfielder David Loera that was well wide.
In the opening three minutes of the second half, Durand was tested from outside the box, but he made a fine save to his left to keep the game level at zero.
For a good portion of the second half, NC State seemed to have a new strategy by putting multiple balls into the box from the backline and midfield, but none were able to help the Wolfpack scratch a goal.
Twenty minutes into the second half, Loera had his second chance of the game after great build up play from sophomore midfielder Ivy Brisma, but the junior midfielder had a strike that was just wide of the far post.
“Ivy is electric for us out there, and I think they did a good job getting cover out to him fast,” Kiefer said. “I think he will be an asset for us all season.”
The Red Storm squandered a great chance to take the lead with seven minutes left when Oluwaseyi saw his shot from five yards out go over the post after a great cross from Matt Forster.
The game opened up in the final minutes. The Pack earned a corner with three minutes left in regulation when senior midfielder Tyler Gabarra’s shot was deflected wide. The ensuing corner found the head of junior defender Jamie Smith but he was unable to get his header on target.
After a hectic ending to regulation, neither team was able to push through a goal and the game was sent to overtime.
In the first overtime period, Smith struck a thundering free kick for NC State, but his shot was saved brilliantly off the crossbar by the St. John’s goalkeeper to keep the game level at zero.
In the second half of overtime, Durand came up with the brilliant penalty kick save. Minutes later, his heroics were outmatched by Oluwaseyi who smacked the game-winning goal for St. John’s with a few minutes left in the match.
NC State will be back at Dail Soccer Field on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. to face Longwood, the match will be broadcast online on the ACC Network Extra.
