Wolfpack Blasts La Salle in Season Opener, 6-1

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The NC State women's soccer team made a huge opening #STATEMENT Friday night, as it defeated La Salle, 6-1 at the Wake Forest Invitational. Jackie Stengel opened her 2016 campign with a hat trick, Rachel Cox added a brace and Michaella van Mannen scored as time expired for the Pack's sixth goal.

Cox, Ricarda Walking, Kristina Schuster, Daria Draovitch and Kia Rankin all collected assists during the match. The win is the largest margin of victory for the Pack since 2012 and the most goals scored in a game since 2010.

NC State dominated the game, outshooting the Explorers, 21-7 and held a 10-3 advantage in shots on goal and a 6-1 advantage on corners. The Pack also out possessed La Salle throughout the match and held the run of play in the the Explorers half for most of the contest.

FINAL: NC State begins 2016 with a 6-1 victory! Goals from @jackiestengel (3), @rachizzle2 (2) and @vanmaanen11(1) pic.twitter.com/CiQhY5ieQu
— PackWSoccer?? (@PackWSoccer) August 19, 2016

NC State took control of the game from the whistle, as it dominated time on the ball and created a handful of chances in the first few minutes.

The Pack broke the deadlock just 13 minutes into the game, as Stengel converted a shot in the box after nice combination play from Ricarda Walking and Kristina Schuster. Walkling won the ball in space a sent Schuster down the wing. Stengel sent Schuster's cross past the keeper and into the net for the Pack's first goal of 2016.

GOALL! @jackiestengel buries the first goal of 2016 off a beautiful buildup from @ricciwalkling and @krissischuster pic.twitter.com/sq3DWHOY2N
— PackWSoccer?? (@PackWSoccer) August 19, 2016

The Wolfpack continued to press the Explorers throughout the first half and found the back of the net just before the halftime after Rachel Cox hit the post then scored off her own rebound with seven minutes left in the first half.

GOAL! NC State doubles it's advantage with a nice effort from @rachizzle2. Leading La Salle 2-0! pic.twitter.com/lwlVprIreV
— PackWSoccer?? (@PackWSoccer) August 19, 2016

The Pack entered halftime up 2-0 and held a commanding 9-0 shot advantage and 4-0 corner advantage.

It took less than four minutes into the second half for NC State to double its lead and dash any chance of a La Salle comeback, as Stengel bagged her second and third goals of the night.

Just 14 seconds into the second half, Kia Rankin dribbled her way past the Explorer defense. Rankin sent a pass across goal, which found Stengel's sliding foot for the goal.

Minutes later after another dominating stretch of possession for the Wolfpack, Walkling's corner connected with Stengel who buried her third goal to complete the hat trick. NC State continue to apply pressure and nearly found another goal as Stengel rounded the keeper, but hit her shot off the post.

Cox added her second goal of the night in the 83rd minute, after Daria Draovitch played her in with a nice pass. Cox chipped the rushing keeper with her first touch for the goal.

La Salle found its way onto the scoresheet with a minute left in the contest, as Las Wilkinson deflected a Deja Davis shot into the goal.

As the clock ticked down, NC State launched its final attack of the night. Rachel Cox dribbled through the LA Salle defense and found Michaella van Maanen making a run across the box. van Mannen collected the ball and ripped a shot into the back of the net as time expired.

Up Next:
NC State will continue its season Sunday with its final match of the Wake Forest Invitational against San Diego. The match will kickoff at Spry Soccer Stadium at 11:30 a.m.

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Team Stats

Jackie Stengel

Rachel Cox

Michaella van Maanen

Ricci Walkling

Players Mentioned

Rachel Cox

Kia Rankin

Krissi Schuster

Jackie Stengel

Michaella van Maanen

Players Mentioned

Rachel Cox

Kia Rankin

Krissi Schuster

Jackie Stengel

Michaella van Maanen