North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State
San Francisco
Wolfpack Women's Soccer Downs Dons, 3-1
10/6/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 6, 2002
The NC State women's soccer team improved to 7-3-1 overall and 1-0-1 in the ACC with its 3-1 victory over the visiting Dons of San Francisco this afternoon. NC State handed San Francisco only their second loss of the season. San Francisco falls to 7-2-1 overall and 0-0-0 in the WCC.
Senior Jordan Allison kicked off the scoring in the 18th minute, with her sixth goal of the season. Sophomore Annika Schmidt dribbled to midfield from the right side and sent the ball to the left corner. Senior Kelly Jordan collected the ball and lofted the ball into the San Francisco penalty area. Allison, standing at the far post, one-touched the ball past goalie Stephanie Beall.
Allison narrowly missed an opportunity to put the Wolfpack up 2-0 in the 33rd minute. Allison broke through the San Francisco defense and with Beall backpedaling, lifted the ball over the keeper's head. The ball glanced off the crossbar and out of bounds.
San Francisco missed an opportunity to tie the game in the 39th minute. Freshman Stephanie Gray set up a free kick just off the right corner of the penalty area. Gray fired the ball over the NC State defensive wall and it caromed off the crossbar.
San Francisco got the equalizer in the 43rd minute off a goal from senior Kirsteen Buchan. Senior Caty Harris slipped the ball through to Buchan. Buchan fired from just outside the left side of the penalty area. The ball just missed the outstretched fingers of senior goalie Gretchen Lear and hit the back of the net.
Junior Lindsey Underwood put the Wolfpack back on top, 2-1 in the 63rd minute. Senior Lauren Bendahan floated a free kick into the far side of the penalty area from near the right touchline. Underwood headed the ball into right corner of the net for her fifth goal of the season.
Sophomore Nicole Blume added an insurance goal, the first in her career, in the 90th minute. Sophomore Annika Schmidt fired on the goal and the ball was punched out by Beall. Blume collected the rebound, dribbled towards the right corner and blasted the ball past Beall.
"We didn't play our best in the first half," said head coach Laura Kerrigan. "But we were determined to come out in the second half and show them [San Francisco] what kind of team we are."
"She [Stephanie Beall] made some huge saves for them [San Francisco]," said Kerrigan. "She was tough, she took quite a few goals away from us today."
With a 7-3-1 record overall, NC State is off to its best start since 1995. NC State was 8-3 in its first eleven games that season before losing its next two. NC State then rattled off nine straight victories before losing to Maryland in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament. NC State ended the season ranked No.9 with 19-5 overall record and 6-1 in the ACC.
NC State will host ACC rival North Carolina at SAS Soccer Park on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. The TarHeels are currently ranked No.2. This will be the 33rd meeting between the two teams.
