North Carolina State University Athletics
#18 Men's Soccer Travels to #8 Duke
10/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
#18 NCSU (7-2-1, 1-2-1 ACC) Vs. #8 Duke (7-3, 2-2 ACC)
Friday, October 9 • 7:00 PM
Koskinen Stadium • Durham, N.C.
Live Stats
RALEIGH, N.C. – In a battle of two ranked ACC foes, 18th-ranked NC State will make the short trip over to Durham, and face No. 8 Duke Friday night at 7:00 p.m. The Wolfpack (7-2-1, 1-2-1 ACC) takes a three game winning streak into the game, while the Blue Devils (7-3, 2-2 ACC) look to maintain their slight lead over NC State in the ACC standings.
In the national polls this week, NC State checks in at No. 18 in NSCAA Coaches’ Poll and No. 19 according to CollegeSoccerNews.com, while the Blue Devils are No. 8 in CollegeSoccerNews.com and No. 9 in the NSCAA Poll.
NC State comes into this weekend’s contest having won three straight games, outscoring its opponents 5-1 in that span. Last weekend, the Pack earned a double overtime win against Boston College, 2-1, and this past Tuesday NC State earned a 2-0 shutout over previously unbeaten Wofford.
Senior Christopher Widman has played every minute in the Wolfpack net this season, posting a 0.77 GAA to go with his four shutouts. The senior duo of Ronnie Bouemboue and Alan Sanchez continue to lead the ACC in various offensive categories, as Bouemboue’s five goals and 15 points lead the conference, while Sanchez’s six assists are also a league best.
Duke enters the contest at 7-3 on the season, and 2-2 in conference play. In ACC play this season, the Blue Devils have home wins over Virginia and Maryland, and have lost at both North Carolina and Boston College. Duke is coming off of a 4-1 loss at Davidson this past Tuesday.
Junior Cole Grossman leads Duke with his 13 points on the season, while freshman Ryan Finley is tied atop the ACC standings with five goals. Freshman keeper James Belshaw has started eight contests this season, and was named CollegeSoccerNews.com’s player of the week this past week.
Duke will be the third top-10 opponent the Pack has faced this season. Earlier this year, NC State fell at then-No. 3 North Carolina, 1-2, and then earned a tie with then-No. 4 Maryland, 1-1, at home.
Last season, NC State came away with a 2-1 upset of No. 18 Duke in Durham. Ronnie Bouemboue scored goals in the 35th and 46th minute, and helped the Pack to the win in the regular season finale.
