North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Soccer to Host Doubleheader on Sunday
9/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Raleigh, N.C. – NC State’s Method Road Soccer Stadium will feature a doubleheader of Wolfpack soccer this Sunday afternoon, as the NC State women’s team faces off against Florida State at 12:00 p.m., followed by the NC State men’s team versus Clemson at 3:00 p.m. Not only is Sunday a doubleheader for NC State, but Sunday’s games feature the current No. 1 teams in the country in both men’s and women’s soccer. Clemson is ranked No. 1 in the NSCAA/adidas poll for the men’s side, while Florida State is ranked No. 1 in Soccer America’s poll for the women.
The NC State men’s team (3-5, 1-2 ACC) will be playing their fifth straight game against a ranked foe, and have played six ranked opponents in the first nine games of the 2006 season. The Pack will be facing the No. 1 team for the second time this season, as earlier NC State won at then-No. 1 North Carolina 3-1 to open ACC play. The Pack has fared well at home in ACC play over the last four seasons, posting a record of 7-2-3 in such matchups.
The Pack and Tigers faced off twice last season. NC State won the first battle during the regular season with a 2-0 win at Clemson, but the Tigers defeated the Pack 3-0 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Raleigh. The last time Clemson played in Raleigh during the regular season, NC State won 2-0 in 2003.
The Pack dropped a heartbreaker the last time out, losing 3-2 to No. 11 South Carolina. Freshmen Daniel Fish and Alan Sanchez each recorded goals, but the Gamecocks scored the game winner with just under five minutes left. Sanchez leads the Pack with four scores this season.
Clemson enters with a perfect 8-0 record, including a 2-0 mark in ACC play, ranked No.1 in the NSCAA/adidas poll and No. 2 in Soccer America’s Poll. The Tigers will be playing their first ACC road game of the season, after notching home wins over Maryland and North Carolina. The senior forward duo of Dane Richards and Frederica Moojen each have seven goals on the season.
The NC State women’s team started ACC play with a 1-0 victory over Miami on Thursday. The win improved the team to 6-1-2, 1-0 in ACC play. FSU will be the second ranked team the Wolfpack has taken on this season. NC State tied then-No. 18 William & Mary, 1-1, in the William & Mary Tournament last weekend. The Pack will be looking for its first victory over the No. 1 ranked team since a 2002 win over No. 1 North Carolina.
Junior Jessica O’Rourke netted her seventh goal of the season against the Hurricanes with a header off a free kick from freshman Katie Ruiz for the games lone score. O’Rourke is second in the ACC in goals scored this season. With six saves and a shutout in the match against Miami, senior goalkeeper Megan Connors is now second in the ACC for shutouts, and is tied for second for saves.
Florida State (6-1, 0-1 ACC) comes to Raleigh after falling, 2-1, at No. 4 North Carolina on Thursday for their first loss of the season. The Seminoles are ranked #1 in the Soccer America Poll, and are #2 in the NSCAA/adidas poll and on soccerbuzz.com. Selin Kuralay leads FSU in goals with four, and India Trotter posted her third goal of the season against the Tar Heels. Four other players have netted goals for Florida State. Goalie Ali Mims has made 20 saves this season and has shutout three opponents.
