Wolfpack Falls To No. 19 Clemson

Sept. 24, 2004

CARY, N.C. - NC State women's soccer lost its first match of the season and first in Atlantic Coast Conference play after falling to visiting No.19 Clemson, 2-0 Friday, Sept. 24. The Tigers scored a goal in each half to break their three-game losing streak and first win in ACC action. Courtney Foster and Lindsay Browne each netted for Clemson. The Wolfpack moves to 6-1-2, 1-1-0 on the year, while Clemson improved to 6-3-0, 1-1-0. NC State will host two home games next week, beginning with High Point on Tuesday, followed by No. 2 North Carolina on Thursday. Both games will be played at SAS Soccer Park.

NC State and Clemson played an extremely physical match, each tallying 15 fouls before the final whistle. The Wolfpack held strong early in the first half while holding Clemson at bay until five minutes remained. Foster tallied the evening's first goal at 40:19 on a breakaway and scored from 12 yards out on the right side to take a 1-0 lead into halftime. Clemson's Allison Graham started the play just inside the midline and fed a speedy Foster just above the box. NC State recorded four shots in the period, including one early from freshman Allie Wilkerson on the far side. The midfielder turned quickly and ripped a shot toward net, but was stopped by Clemson's keeper Lauren Johnston. Johnston had two saves in the half, the other stop coming off a nearside chip from Wolfpack senior Anna Helenius. For NC State, sophomore Megan Connors recorded one save off Clemson's two shots on goal.

The second half played out much like the first. Clemson did tally five shots on goal, including two from Kelly Schneider. The Tigers put away the insurance goal after a corner taken on the left side. The ball became tangled in the box as two NC State players, sophomore Megan Buescher and Connors fought off Clemson's Browne. The ball found its way into the air and was headed in at 80:16. NC State again tallied two shots on goal, including one late from senior forward Erin Griswold nearside from 15 yards out. Her ball was also steered away by Johnston. Johnston added two more saves in the second period, while Connors collected an impressive four, despite the one goal scored in the 45 minutes played.

"We played a great 15 minutes in the first half and a great 20 minutes in the second half," said NC State head coach Laura Kerrigan. "It's unfortunate the time in between we didn't play as well as we should have."

NC State will conclude its non-conference slate by hosting High Point at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m. at SAS Soccer Park.

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Team Stats

Katherine Warman

Mandela Schumacher-H

Erin Griswold

Anna Helenius