NC State Defeats Wake Forest, 2-1

RALEIGH, N.C. - The NC State women's soccer team earned its second ACC win of the year behind goals from Paige Griffiths and Tziarra King in a 2-1 victory over Wake Forest. The Wolfpack struck twice in a 40-second period to earn the come-from-behind victory.

NC State improves to 8-3-0 (2-1-0 ACC) with the win, while Wake Forest falls to 8-3-0 (0-3-0 ACC). The Wolfpack was the dominant team going forward, it outshot the Demon Deacons 10-3 and posted a 3-0 advantage in corner kicks.

The win is the Pack's second victory over Wake in the last three meetings and second of the year over a team currently receiving votes in the NSCAA National Poll. The Pack also has two ACC wins for the first time since 2013.

NC State gets its second ACC win and improves to 8-3-0 with a 2-1 win over Wake Forest! #STATEMENT pic.twitter.com/PDnPOgVkDS
— PackWSoccer?? (@PackWSoccer) September 26, 2016

Match Recap:
Wake Forest struck first after winning a penalty in the 10^th minute. Sarah Teegarden converted the spot kick to give the Demon Deacons a 1-0 advantage. For the rest of the half, NC State searched for the equalizer, tallying six first-half shots. The Pack upped the pressure as the half went on, but couldn't find the back of the net. A physical Wake Forest defense stopped several runs into the attacking half and NC State entered half with a 1-0 deficit.

From the start of the second half, NC State continued to press for the goal and create chances. The Pack combined in the buildup for several impressive runs down the flanks to get into the final third, but couldn't find the right combination in the Wake Forest box.

NC State finally found the elusive goal in the 65^th minute, as Griffiths won a ball in the middle of the field. Griffiths weaved her way towards the Wake goal and unleashed a 25-yard blast that flew into the back of the net for the first goal of her career.

Just 40 seconds later, NC State completed its comeback and scored its second of the night from King's penalty kick. The goal was King's fifth of the year, which ties her for the team lead.

King won the penalty after making a run into the Wake Forest box. A Wake defender lunged at the ball, but missed and collided into King, bringing the attacker down in the box. The penalty marked the first in two years for the Pack and clinched the first comeback win of the season.

NC State held off the Demon Deacons over the final 25 minutes to seal the win. The Pack's defense limited Wake in possession and held the visitors to just three shots - with only two on goal.

Wolf @PackWSoccer keep rolling. Great win tonight. Beat Wake 2-1. #gopack #work pic.twitter.com/3AjV1opt1e
— robert murphy (@murf011) September 26, 2016

Up Next:
NC State will hit the road for two matches. It faces Boston College – a team currently receiving votes in the NSCAA poll – Sunday at 1 p.m.

Players Mentioned

Paige Griffiths

Tziarra King

Players Mentioned

Paige Griffiths

Tziarra King