The NC State men’s soccer team defeated No. 17 Louisville in the second match of the Pack’s two-game road trip.
The Wolfpack (5-2-1, 2-1-0 ACC) needed to get off to a strong start against a highly ranked Louisville (4-2-2, 1-1-1 ACC) team known for its goal scoring. Earlier in the season the Cardinals defeated seventh-ranked Kentucky 3-0. Being able to put up three goals on such a dominant Wildcats team showed the firepower that the Cardinals possess.
The Pack got off to the hot start it was looking for, dominating possession and ripping more shots on goal in the first half with three compared Louisville’s one. Two of those shots on target turned into goals. The first goal came from sophomore Ivy Brisma who smashed the ball in the bottom right corner of the net on a breakaway in the 40th minute.
NC State was able to continue dominating possession of the ball late in the first half. This resulted in the Pack gaining a couple of throw-ins as well as a shot on goal from junior forward David Loera that was blocked by the Cardinals’ goalkeeper. Then in the 44th minute, the Pack found the back of the net again when senior Tyler Gabarra shot the ball from just inside the box into the upper left corner.
The game’s momentum swung in the Cardinals’ favor in the second half. The Cardinals dominated possession in the second half and kept pushing forward in an attempt to score. The Cardinals outshot the Wolfpack in the second half eight to two. This resulted in the Cardinals finally getting their first goal in the 83th minute.
The Cardinals came close to tying the game in the 88th minute with a shot on goal, however, redshirt senior goalkeeper Vinnie Durand was able to make a save on the ball heading towards the lower left corner of the net.
This was a big win for the Pack who needed to prove they could win big games on the road after finishing 2-7-0 away from home last year. The Pack will need to carry this momentum into the following weeks as they have a tough ACC Schedule ahead of it which features teams such as No. 7 Wake Forest and No. 4 Clemson.
NC State will have its work cut out for it next week when it takes on No. 21 Notre Dame at the friendly confines of Dail Soccer Stadium on Friday, Oct. 4 at 6:00 p.m.
