Wolfpack Shocks #3 Clemson in ACC Opener

Friday, September 8

Raleigh, NC

7 PM

NC State

2-1-0 (1-0-0)

#3/5 Clemson

4-1-0 (0-1-0)

Clemson

NC State

9/8/2017 9:32:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score @packmenssoccer

Freshman Manny Perez scores the match winner in the seventh minute

September 8, 2017

RALEIGH – The NC State men's soccer team (2-1-0, 1-0-0 ACC) shocked previously unbeaten No. 3/5 Clemson (4-1-0, 0-1-0 ACC) in both clubs' Atlantic Coast Conference opener Friday night, winning by a final score of 1-0.

Freshman Manny Perez scored his third goal in as many matches, finding the back of the net in the seventh minute following a tremendous through ball from classmate David Loera. The Wolfpack defense remained stout throughout the 90 minutes, with freshman goalkeeper Leon Krapf aiding the back four by making five stellar saves.

Freshman GK Leon Krapf made 5?? saves in the win. Here he speaks with @TechSports following the match. #ncaasoccer ???? pic.twitter.com/t9lbKm4r5J
— NCSU Men's Soccer (@PackMensSoccer) September 9, 2017

.@CoachKiefer speaks with @TechSports following the 1-0 win over No. 3 Clemson. #ncaasoccer pic.twitter.com/NzGcSNBbZT
— NCSU Men's Soccer (@PackMensSoccer) September 9, 2017

One of the best saves of the evening came in the 68th minute when Krapf tipped a Patrick Bunk-Anderson header from close range off the crossbar and out for a corner. The Wolfpack defense was able to effectively handle all seven corners earned by the Tigers.

NC State outshot Clemson by a 12-10 margin and nearly doubled its lead with some late pressure, earning three corners and generating two shots in a very short span of time between minutes 78 and 80.

The match was a physical one, with seven separate bookings taking place throughout the 90 minutes. Clemson's Diego Campos was sent off in the 71st minute after earning a straight red for a sliding challenge on Loera.

Friday's victory was NC State's first over Clemson since the 2008 season and was the first victory over a top-five opponent since a 2-1 win over No. 5 Louisville on Oct. 3, 2014.

#GoPack | @PackMensSoccer