North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Soccer Teams Host Friday Doubleheader at Method
8/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
NC State Soccer Doubleheader
Method Road Soccer Stadium
Men's Soccer vs. Valparaiso, 2 pm
Women's Soccer vs. Davidson, 5 pm
The regular season is finally upon us as both the men's and women's soccer teams begin their respective 2007 campaigns. The men, coming off an impressive 2-2 tie with No. 1 UCLA in an exhibition match last weekend, will host Valparaiso at 2 pm in game one of the Wolfpack Classic.
The NC State men’s soccer team will have the advantage of seven returning starters, with the entire offense intact, but will have to replace four players who were part of the Pack’s starting defense each of the last four season. NC State will return all four of its top scorers in addition to both goalkeepers, but the Pack must make up for the loss of three starting defenders and its defensive midfielder. Head coach George Tarantini and his staff will rely on as many as five newcomers in the starting lineup, but the incoming recruiting class is one of the best squads in recent memory.
The women welcome in-state rival Davidson for the 5 pm match on Friday. NC State owns a commanding 7-1 advantage in the head-to-head series, but the two teams have not hooked up since the 2000 season. The Wolfpack will look to continue its good fortune in recent years, having gone without a loss in its opening four games for three straight years, including a 5-0-1 record to begin the 2006 season.
NC State returns nearly all its scoring from the 2006 campaign as seven of its top-eight scoring leaders from last year are back in 2007. Senior Jessica O’Rourke led the Pack with 19 points, which included a team-topping eight goals and three assists. Junior Lindsay Vera posted 11 points on five goals and one assist, while sophomore Briana Cunningham added five goals and three assists in her freshman campaign.
The first 700 people in attendance at Friday's NC State soccer doubleheader will receive a free pair of NC State Crocs. Sizes will be based on availability. The give away begins at the 2pm men's game and will go until supplies run out.
A doubleheader is also scheduled for Sunday at Method Road. The women host William & Mary at 1 pm, while the men take on Delaware at 4 pm.
