North Carolina State University Athletics
Women's Soccer Reunited
10/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 18, 2004
By Lindsey Underwood
NC State women's soccer alumni gathered at Method Road Soccer Stadium to celebrate 20 years of competition since the programs inception in 1984. Players took time to reminisce with friends and lace up their cleats one more time as the alumni played against each other on a beautiful October morning. Before the game began current head coach Laura Kerrigan suited up in a jersey she had worn in the 1988 ACC championship game when the Wolfpack beat rival UNC in penalty kicks to clinch the tournament championship. Assistant coach Lindsay Cobb, All-ACC goalkeeper during her career from 1988-1990, also took part in the pre-game festivities as she wore her old goalkeeper jersey and matching sweatband. The players were then divided according to their graduation year and the game began.
Players quickly reverted back to their competitive ways and battled each other. The game was knotted in a tie well into the first half before Coach Kerrigan beat her assistant goalkeeper coach to the far post to give the Alumni white team a 1-0 advantage. The white team would find its way behind the defense again as All-ACC forward Adrienne Barnes (2001-2003) crossed a well-placed ball to Jordan Allison (1999-2002) who finished into the upper corner. It wasn't until the second half when the alumni red team recorded some goals of their own. Assistant coach and guest player of the alumni match, Michelle Demko, danced her way to the penalty area and blasted a shot into the side netting to put the red team on the scoreboard. Moments later Tara Knauss (2000-2003) served a ball to her classmate Lindsey Underwood (2000-2003) who finished to the right corner to lock the game at 2-2.
 Charmaine Hooper  |
|
While the game transpired, one of the most famous NC State women's soccer players, Charmaine Hooper, did crunches and sprints on the sidelines. The decorated All-American, All-ACC, WUSA and current Canadian National Team player was unable to play in the game because of her pregnancy. She is one of several alumni who have started a family and many of them brought their children to the game to support the Wolfpack.
There was a lot to smile about as a collection of NC State women's soccer players gathered to celebrate the programs 20th year anniversary. NC State women's soccer has 11 NCAA tournament appearances, eight Elite 8 appearances, two Final Four appearances and one National Championship appearance to date. The Wolfpack is also one of two ACC programs to win an ACC Championship.
