Wolfpack Stopped by No. 2 Tar Heels

Thursday, September 30

Cary, N.C. (SAS Soccer Park)

7:00 PM

NC State

7-2-2, 1-2-0

North Carolina

10-0-1,3-0-0

North Carolina

NC State

9/30/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 30, 2004

Box Score

CARY, N.C. - The score stood at 1-1 heading into halftime, but No. 2 ranked North Carolina pulled away in the second half to finalize a 3-1 victory over NC State women's soccer Thursday, Sept. 30. Junior Lori Chalupny netted the game-winner in the 67th minute for the Tar Heels. NC State's freshman Allie Wilkerson scored the lone Wolfpack goal. UNC outshot NC State 30-to-4, but netted just three of those goals thanks to Wolfpack sophomore Megan Connors, who finished the match with a career-high nine saves. The Wolfpack now owns a 7-2-2 overall record and sits at 1-2-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference action, while UNC improved to 10-0-1 and 3-0-0 in ACC play.

It was without question a defensive game for the Wolfpack, having to face one of the nation's best teams. NC State played up to its potential, allowing just three goals to be scored, despite the large shot differential. The first half saw NC State come out fast and hard. The Pack tallied four shots in the first 45 minutes, including Wilkerson's second goal of the season at 30:08. The midfielder collected a pass from senior Anna Helenius about 20 yards in from the midline. North Carolina's keeper, Aly Winget came out to make a play on the ball, leaving the net open for Wilkerson. Wilkerson beat a Tar Heel defender and Winget to finish the score. It is a rarity that UNC allows goals to be scored, having given up just six all season. NC State also held UNC to just three corner kicks in the first half and worked for four of its own. One of those corners came after Helenius sent a rocket to the first of Winget, who was forced to punch it over the crossbar. Winget collected three saves before the break, while Connors made five.

The second half was played mostly on UNC's end, while the Pack gave up 19 shots to its zero. NC State had two chances early on, both were called back after offside calls. UNC's Chalupny scored the go ahead goal after a restart on the left side. Sophomore Heather O'Reilly passed off to Chalupny about 15 yards center. The first break for NC State came with 16 minutes remaining. A throw-in from freshman Jessica O'Rourke pushed the Wolfpack forward, but UNC forced a clear. UNC continued to accumulate shots and finally one slipped through with just over two and half to go. The game's fourth and final goal was scored by freshman forward Jaime Gilbert. Sophomore Elizabeth Guess tapped the ball to Gilbert after she drew Connors out of the net and Gilbert dribbled in for the score at 87:43. The Tar Heel scoring run began on NC State's end after the UNC defense cleared a combo play between Helenius and sophomore Carol Tognetti. Tognetti juggled the ball around two UNC defenders but was stopped short of a shot attempt inside the 18. Connors again played strongly and made four saves. Winget never faced a NC State shot in the final period.

"I was very proud of how our team went after it today," said NC State head coach Laura Kerrigan. "They played extremely hard and scored a goal on the No. 2 team in the nation. Connors had a tremendous game in the net."

NC State will host an alumni match on Saturday, featuring more than 30 former players, including Charmaine Hooper and Thori (Staples) Bryan. Game time for the special event is at 9:30 a.m. The Wolfpack also plays host to ACC newcomer, Virginia Tech at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 3. Both games are to be played at Method Road.

--PACK--