Photo by: Chris Baird
NC State Rolls By Liberty in Spring Finale
4/23/2017 2:40:00 PM | Women's Soccer
RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State women's soccer team blew past 2016 Big South Tournament Champion Liberty, winning 5-1 in a dominant finish to the 2017 spring season. Tziarra King scored a brace and Kia Rankin, Michaella van Mannen and Kristina Schuster each scored a goal in the contest.
"I'm pleased with the results from the spring, however, I'm more concentrated on how we played and improved over the last few months," head coach Tim Santoro said. "We were a lot better in the spring than the fall. With so many freshmen and sophomores in the group, they just continue to work hard, apply themselves and get better in all areas. This group knows we're far from where we need to be, and they're ready to go across the country, and world, to continue training."
The Wolfpack went undefeated this spring with a 5-0-1 record. After drawing its first match, the Pack won its last five matches and outscored opponents 12-2 in the spring. NC State defeated three conference champions (ACC, SEC, Big South) and three fellow 2016 NCAA Tournament teams (Clemson, South Carolina, Liberty).
The team didn't allow a goal for a consecutive 455 minutes, spanning all across all six matches, resulting in four-straight shutouts. King and Rankin led the team with two goals each, while eight other NC State players scored during the season.
In the finale against Liberty, the Pack struck quickly with two goals from King and a score from Rankin in the first 15 minutes. The team added goals from van Maanen and Schuster in the first five minutes of the second half to take a 5-0 lead. Liberty ended prevented the shutout with a goal in the 87th minute. All three of NC State's goalkeepers spent time between the posts during the match.
The match concludes the 2016-17 calendar year for the Pack, where the team made its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 20 years and advanced to the Sweet 16. Additionally, the Wolfpack finished the season ranked 23/24 in the final national polls, set a program record in the RPI and had its second-best ACC season in school history.
For a look back at the 2016 season, check out 'Whatever It Takes'.
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2017 season, which features 10 home contests with five ACC matches. Buy tickets here.
"I'm pleased with the results from the spring, however, I'm more concentrated on how we played and improved over the last few months," head coach Tim Santoro said. "We were a lot better in the spring than the fall. With so many freshmen and sophomores in the group, they just continue to work hard, apply themselves and get better in all areas. This group knows we're far from where we need to be, and they're ready to go across the country, and world, to continue training."
The Wolfpack went undefeated this spring with a 5-0-1 record. After drawing its first match, the Pack won its last five matches and outscored opponents 12-2 in the spring. NC State defeated three conference champions (ACC, SEC, Big South) and three fellow 2016 NCAA Tournament teams (Clemson, South Carolina, Liberty).
The team didn't allow a goal for a consecutive 455 minutes, spanning all across all six matches, resulting in four-straight shutouts. King and Rankin led the team with two goals each, while eight other NC State players scored during the season.
In the finale against Liberty, the Pack struck quickly with two goals from King and a score from Rankin in the first 15 minutes. The team added goals from van Maanen and Schuster in the first five minutes of the second half to take a 5-0 lead. Liberty ended prevented the shutout with a goal in the 87th minute. All three of NC State's goalkeepers spent time between the posts during the match.
The match concludes the 2016-17 calendar year for the Pack, where the team made its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 20 years and advanced to the Sweet 16. Additionally, the Wolfpack finished the season ranked 23/24 in the final national polls, set a program record in the RPI and had its second-best ACC season in school history.
For a look back at the 2016 season, check out 'Whatever It Takes'.
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2017 season, which features 10 home contests with five ACC matches. Buy tickets here.
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
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Forward
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Defender
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