NC State
Kent State
Wolfpack Women Win Season Opener, 2-1
8/30/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 30, 2002
Raleigh, N.C.--The NC State women's soccer squad used a Katherine Warman tally in the 73rd minute of its match with Kent State Friday to down the Golden Flashes 2-1 at the SAS Soccer Park. The game was moved to the venue after originally being scheduled for Method Road Soccer Stadium and was the season opener for both squads.
Senior Jordan Allison kicked off the scoring in the 31st minute when she tapped in a long shot from the right by freshman Erin Ardler. The ball slipped through the hands of Kent State goalkeeper Lindsey Mitchell and bounced right to Allison. It was Allison's fourth goal of her career, while Ardler picked up an assist on the play.
The match was still 1-0 when the Wolfpack mounted another serious attack on the Kent State net. Junior Lindsey Underwood collected a long pass 25 yards out and attempted to chip the ball over Mitchell. However, the ball rolled to within two yards of the goal line before Mitchell cleared the attempt.
Kent State struck back with the equalizer in the 58th minute off a well-executed corner kick. Freshman Alana Munro sailed a corner kick to Lauren Covay just inside the 18 yard box. Covay then flicked a header to freshman Jennifer Frey who headed a shot of her own toward the upper right corner of the Wolfpack net. While Gretchen Lear valiantly attempted to save the shot, the ball glanced off the head of Wolfpack defender Jaci Harper and in off the underside of the crossbar.
The Golden Flashes nearly grabbed the lead in the 65th minute when Covay came gliding down the right side of the field and ripped a shot to the far left post. Lear, who made four saves during the match, dove head-long and deflected the shot wide at the last second.
Warman's goal came on a long free kick from senior Lauren Bendahan who also received an assist on the play. Warman streaked into the penalty area and flipped the ball with her right foot into the net for her eighth career goal.
"It's nice to get a win to start off the season," said NC State head coach Laura Kerrigan. "I thought we possessed well in the second half and moved well for the most part."
"Katherine certainly gave us a big lift with that goal because we certainly weren't happy about giving one up to them."
NC State dominated the offense for most of the game, outshooting Kent State 21-5, while forcing Mitchell to make nine saves in the game.
The Wolfpack will face #14 Tennessee at SAS Soccer Park on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
