North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Set for NCAA First Round at No. 8 Minnesota
11/11/2016 10:25:00 AM | Women's Soccer
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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – In its first NCAA Championship appearance in 20 years, the NC State women's soccer team will open the national tournament at No. 8 Minnesota Saturday at 8 p.m. (ET) at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium in St. Paul, Minn.
Series History:
NC State leads to overall series 1-0-0. The Pack defeated the Golden Gophers 3-0 at home in 2001.
A Win Would Be:
The 11th win of the year – most since 1996
The first NCAA Championship win since 1995
The second win over a top-10 team
The first-ever win over a Big 10 school in the tournament
A spot in the NCAA second round, facing either California or Pepperdine
History:
Picked to finish 13th in the ACC, the Pack shocked the nation with a breakout season. For the first time in 20 years, NC State advanced to the NCAA Championship. The regular season was highlighted by wins over ranked opposition and its second best ACC wins and points totals in program history. NC State also advanced to the ACC Championship for first time since 2006.
For a full recap of the regular season, check out "Whatever It Takes" via Adobe Spark.
All-ACC:
Freshmen Tziarra King and Kia Rankin have combined to lead the potent Wolfpack attack. With the ability to score at any point in the match, the two attacking players have combined for 13 goals this season. King leads the team with 17 points from eight goals and one assist, while Rankin is second on the team with 13 points from five goals and three assists. The two were also honored by the ACC, as King was named to the All-ACC Third Team and both were selected to the All-ACC Freshman Team.
Scouting the Golden Gophers:
Minnesota enters the match with a 16-3-3 (7-1-3 Big 10) record. Minnesota won a share of the regular season Big 10 Championship and won the Big 10 Conference Championship. The Golden Gophers enter the match undefeated in their last nine matches.
Minnesota is outscoring opponents 48-12 this season and averaging 2.18 goals per match. Simone Kolander leads the Gophers with 28 points from 11 goals and six assists, while four other players have scored at least seven goals this season. The defense has earned 13 shutouts and goalie Tarah Hobbs boasts a 0.55 goals against average.
On the Prowl:
NC State is up to 32 goals this season - more than the last two seasons combined. The Pack has seven multi-goal scorers this season, while 13 players have at least a goal or assist. NC State is averaging 1.68 goals per game.
Balance at the Back:
Goalkeeper Sydney Wootten and defenders Hannah Keogh, Ella Bonner, Cailyn Boch and Kristina Schuster have led a poised defensive unit all season. The group has dropped NC State's GAA to 1.16, its best mark since 2011. The unit also went 463 minutes without allowing a goal - a streak that spanned across six matches and produced four straight shutouts.
Approaching Records:
NC State is close to clinching its best ever RPI since the NCAA began archiving the stat for women's soccer in 2000. The Pack's current RPI of 45 would set the second-best mark for the team, which was previously set in 2011 at 41. NC State's RPI has been within the top 35 for most of the season, including a season-high rating of 20th.
Last Time Out:
NC State dominated the game in every aspect but the final score, as No. 12 Notre Dame escaped with a 1-0 victory in the ACC Championship first round. The Pack was unable to capitalize on its chances, and Notre Dame scored on a broken play in the box.
Follow Along:
The match will be broadcast on the BTN2Go, which is a free streaming service. Fans can also follow along with live stats, Twitter and Instagram.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – In its first NCAA Championship appearance in 20 years, the NC State women's soccer team will open the national tournament at No. 8 Minnesota Saturday at 8 p.m. (ET) at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium in St. Paul, Minn.
Series History:
NC State leads to overall series 1-0-0. The Pack defeated the Golden Gophers 3-0 at home in 2001.
A Win Would Be:
The 11th win of the year – most since 1996
The first NCAA Championship win since 1995
The second win over a top-10 team
The first-ever win over a Big 10 school in the tournament
A spot in the NCAA second round, facing either California or Pepperdine
History:
Picked to finish 13th in the ACC, the Pack shocked the nation with a breakout season. For the first time in 20 years, NC State advanced to the NCAA Championship. The regular season was highlighted by wins over ranked opposition and its second best ACC wins and points totals in program history. NC State also advanced to the ACC Championship for first time since 2006.
For a full recap of the regular season, check out "Whatever It Takes" via Adobe Spark.
All-ACC:
Freshmen Tziarra King and Kia Rankin have combined to lead the potent Wolfpack attack. With the ability to score at any point in the match, the two attacking players have combined for 13 goals this season. King leads the team with 17 points from eight goals and one assist, while Rankin is second on the team with 13 points from five goals and three assists. The two were also honored by the ACC, as King was named to the All-ACC Third Team and both were selected to the All-ACC Freshman Team.
Scouting the Golden Gophers:
Minnesota enters the match with a 16-3-3 (7-1-3 Big 10) record. Minnesota won a share of the regular season Big 10 Championship and won the Big 10 Conference Championship. The Golden Gophers enter the match undefeated in their last nine matches.
Minnesota is outscoring opponents 48-12 this season and averaging 2.18 goals per match. Simone Kolander leads the Gophers with 28 points from 11 goals and six assists, while four other players have scored at least seven goals this season. The defense has earned 13 shutouts and goalie Tarah Hobbs boasts a 0.55 goals against average.
On the Prowl:
NC State is up to 32 goals this season - more than the last two seasons combined. The Pack has seven multi-goal scorers this season, while 13 players have at least a goal or assist. NC State is averaging 1.68 goals per game.
Balance at the Back:
Goalkeeper Sydney Wootten and defenders Hannah Keogh, Ella Bonner, Cailyn Boch and Kristina Schuster have led a poised defensive unit all season. The group has dropped NC State's GAA to 1.16, its best mark since 2011. The unit also went 463 minutes without allowing a goal - a streak that spanned across six matches and produced four straight shutouts.
Approaching Records:
NC State is close to clinching its best ever RPI since the NCAA began archiving the stat for women's soccer in 2000. The Pack's current RPI of 45 would set the second-best mark for the team, which was previously set in 2011 at 41. NC State's RPI has been within the top 35 for most of the season, including a season-high rating of 20th.
Last Time Out:
NC State dominated the game in every aspect but the final score, as No. 12 Notre Dame escaped with a 1-0 victory in the ACC Championship first round. The Pack was unable to capitalize on its chances, and Notre Dame scored on a broken play in the box.
Follow Along:
The match will be broadcast on the BTN2Go, which is a free streaming service. Fans can also follow along with live stats, Twitter and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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Midfielder
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Forward
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Defender
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Goalkeeper
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