McBath and Vera Net Twice to Lead Pack Over Hokies

Sunday, October 9

Cary, N.C.

1:00 PM

NC State

6-7-0, 2-3-0

Virginia Tech

5-8-1, 1-5-0

Virginia Tech

NC State

McBath and Vera Net Twice to Lead Pack Over Hokies

10/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Oct. 9, 2005

Box Score

CARY, N.C. - Two NC State players scored twice as NC State defeated Virginia Tech 4-2 on Sunday, Oct. 9. Senior Lydia McBath and freshman Lindsay Vera helped improve the Wolfpack to 6-7-0 overall and 2-3 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The Hokies dropped to 5-8-1 and 1-5 for the season. NC State scored twice in each half, one each from McBath and Vera in both as well. Senior goalkeeper Kim Selz posted eight saves for the Wolfpack for the second time this season. Virginia Tech's Mallory Soldner took the loss and had five saves and three goals allowed before splitting time with Ashley Owens, who had one save. NC State travels to Maryland on Thursday, Oct. 13, for a 7 p.m. match.

Senior forward Lydia McBath had not scored all season. That is not to say she didn't have several shots on goal that weren't spectacular, but Sunday's match was different. McBath scored twice, including the game-winner for the Wolfpack. Freshman Lindsay Vera also scored twice and sealed the Pack's 4-2 victory with an empty net goal with just under 30 seconds remaining in the match. She now leads the team in goals with five to go along with three assists.

"We played good and simple soccer today," said NC State head coach Laura Kerrigan. "We had several nice combination plays that led to scoring opportunities. This team played well against two Top 10 teams in Duke and Wake Forest and gained some confidence that helped with the win today."

NC State got on the board early posting three quick shots within the first 12 minutes, including the one that put the Wolfpack on top and ended a two-match scoreless streak. Freshman midfielder Lindsay Vera netted her second goal in ACC action in the 12th minute. The Houston, Texas native collected a loose ball 10 yards from midfield, beat a Virginia Tech defender 1v1 and then beat Tech's goalkeeper, Mallory Soldner. Fifteen minutes and several shots on goal later, NC State scored its second goal of the evening. Junior midfielder Carol Tognetti had three chances of her own, including a nice header on the far side that was stopped by Soldner. But it was senior Lydia McBath, who after two previous shots on goal this season had been shutout, nabbed her second goal of the season (she had scored against High Point in the season opener). Freshman Tami Krzeszewski dribbled through the center of the field and passed off to McBath, who was waiting patiently on the near side. McBath then sent a floating shot into the outstretched hands of Soldner deep into the top left corner. Virginia Tech tightened the scoring gap with a goal early in the 44th minute (43:02). Jordan Parsels took a free kick on right side just outside the top right corner of the box. NC State's senior goalkeeper Kim Selz came out on the left side to make the stop but was interupted by her own defender and the ball tipped in over her shoulder. The Hokies' best opportunity prior to that was missed by Megan Devine who had a solid and quick flick early in the half, but it was sharply saved by Selz. Overall, the Pack led in shots 8-to-5. NC State's two goals was the most since a 2-1 win over Delaware on Sunday, Sept. 4.

The second half opened up with the Wolfpack on top 2-1 and McBath wanted to increase the lead. Just as she had done in the first half, McBath scored her goal with a floater into the upper right corner. In the 66th minute the Virginia native pushed the Pack to a 3-1lead. The Hokies did not go away however and continued to press offensively, even adding another player to the attacking side of the ball. Laurie Beth Puglisi had five shots in the game, including three on goal. Her second on goal attempt nearly scored after she chipped in a nice ball. NC State's Selz was caught off guard, but two Wolfpack defenders, junior Megan Buescher and Tami Krzeszweski were there to make the save on the near post. Her next attempt however resulted in a more favorable situation, the Hokies' second goal in the 81st minute. She took a pass from Shannon Poach near the Virginia Tech bench on the near side and sent it in towards the left post. NC State battled back after allowing the Hokies to wrack up 13 second half shots. The Pack rallied and used some combination plays to set up some scoring opportunities late in the period. The team's fourth goal was Vera's second of the game. She had taken a misplayed ball from a Virginia Tech defender and beat Ashley Owens, Tech's keeper, 1v1 and placed the ball calmly into an empty net. Virginia Tech led in shots 18-to-16 for the match.

Game Summary
Shots: VT 18, ST 16
Corners: VT 9, ST 4
Saves: ST 10, VT 6
Fouls: VT 12, ST 10

Scoring Summary
11:38 ST Vera (UA)
26:33 ST McBath (Krzeszewski)
43:02 VT Parsels (UA)
65:18 ST McBath (UA)
80:32 VT Puglisi (ST)
89:33 ST Vera (UA)

--PACK--