Thursday, October 26
Raleigh, N.C.
7 PM
NC State
13-4-1, 6-3-1ACC
2
vs
1
Louisville
9-7-2, 3-5-2ACC
1
2
F
Louisville
0
1
1
NC State
0
2
2
King Shines In Women’s Soccer’s 2-1 Win Over Louisville On Senior Night
10/26/2017 10:47:00 PM | Women's Soccer
RALEIGH – Thanks to a pair of second half goals by sophomore Tziarra King, the NC State women's soccer team defeated Louisville 2-1 on Thursday evening at Dail Soccer Stadium. It was the program's senior night as the Wolfpack improves to 13-4-1 (6-3-1 ACC), extending its win streak to five, while the Cardinals fall to 9-7-2 (3-5-2 ACC) on the season.
With the win, NC State has clinched the No. 3 seed in the ACC Championship, and will host sixth-seeded Notre Dame Sunday at 1 p.m. in the first round. This will mark the first time the program has hosted an ACC Championship match at Dail Soccer Stadium. Tickets can be bought here.
The Wolfpack continues to rewrite the record books, as its sixth conference win marks the most since 1995 and the highest point total (19) in program history.
HIGHLIGHTS
QUOTING THE TEAM
Head Coach Tim Santoro
Overall thoughts on match and Louisville defense
"They're a super organized team," said head coach Tim Santoro. "They're a tough team and are much better than what their final record is. They've been playing everyone really tough, they were desperate going into tonight to continue their season but like what we've been doing the past couple of weeks we found a way to win."
On hosting the first round of the ACC Championship
"It means a lot. We'll probably put it into words when this whole season is over. 13 wins, a 6-3-1 ACC record and finishing third in the best conference in the country is already a pretty good resume, but it's something we'll enjoy when the season ends. I'm really proud of the girls they earned this, anything you get in this conference you have to earn and they've done that."
Tziarra King
On game-winner
"It's kind of tough when they equalize it. I was just looking to get that second goal so we could get ahead," King said. "It was really important for us to win this game so we could host on Sunday. It's been in my head all week to host."
On hosting the first round of the ACC Championship
"The most amazing thing is that we're improving. From last year to this year we've made progress and that's the most important thing. It's unbelievable to think that we're hosting an ACC Tournament game if you were to look back at the last few years when we were at the bottom of the ACC. We've made major improvements and we're thankful for that and our hard work."
HOW IT HAPPENED
With strong defensive performances by both squads, the teams remained scoreless after the first half of the contest as the Pack was held to just two shots and the Cards only tallied three. NC State's two opportunities came in the 19th minute when Kia Rankin's shot from the top of the box was deflected off of goalkeeper Gabrielle Kouzelos. Paige Griffiths immediately followed up with a shot from 20 yards that missed just wide left.
King's first goal of the match came in the 67th minute, as she charged up the field on a Ricci Walkling pass and placed the ball in the middle of the net from seven yards out.
Louisville's Gabrielle Vincent scored the equalizer in the 80th minute on a loose ball 20 yards out, but two minutes later King found the back of the net again with a low strike from 10 yards out on a Frances Henshall assist. She now holds 11 goals and 28 points on the season.
The Cards tried to knot the match again with three shots in the final seven minutes, but goalkeeper Sydney Wootten managed to save all of them.
UP NEXT
The Pack will take on Notre Dame in the first round of the ACC Championship Sunday. Kickoff is 1 p.m. at Dail Soccer Stadium and the match will be broadcast on the ACC Network Extra.
With the win, NC State has clinched the No. 3 seed in the ACC Championship, and will host sixth-seeded Notre Dame Sunday at 1 p.m. in the first round. This will mark the first time the program has hosted an ACC Championship match at Dail Soccer Stadium. Tickets can be bought here.
The Wolfpack continues to rewrite the record books, as its sixth conference win marks the most since 1995 and the highest point total (19) in program history.
HIGHLIGHTS
QUOTING THE TEAM
Head Coach Tim Santoro
Overall thoughts on match and Louisville defense
"They're a super organized team," said head coach Tim Santoro. "They're a tough team and are much better than what their final record is. They've been playing everyone really tough, they were desperate going into tonight to continue their season but like what we've been doing the past couple of weeks we found a way to win."
On hosting the first round of the ACC Championship
"It means a lot. We'll probably put it into words when this whole season is over. 13 wins, a 6-3-1 ACC record and finishing third in the best conference in the country is already a pretty good resume, but it's something we'll enjoy when the season ends. I'm really proud of the girls they earned this, anything you get in this conference you have to earn and they've done that."
Tziarra King
On game-winner
"It's kind of tough when they equalize it. I was just looking to get that second goal so we could get ahead," King said. "It was really important for us to win this game so we could host on Sunday. It's been in my head all week to host."
On hosting the first round of the ACC Championship
"The most amazing thing is that we're improving. From last year to this year we've made progress and that's the most important thing. It's unbelievable to think that we're hosting an ACC Tournament game if you were to look back at the last few years when we were at the bottom of the ACC. We've made major improvements and we're thankful for that and our hard work."
HOW IT HAPPENED
With strong defensive performances by both squads, the teams remained scoreless after the first half of the contest as the Pack was held to just two shots and the Cards only tallied three. NC State's two opportunities came in the 19th minute when Kia Rankin's shot from the top of the box was deflected off of goalkeeper Gabrielle Kouzelos. Paige Griffiths immediately followed up with a shot from 20 yards that missed just wide left.
King's first goal of the match came in the 67th minute, as she charged up the field on a Ricci Walkling pass and placed the ball in the middle of the net from seven yards out.
Louisville's Gabrielle Vincent scored the equalizer in the 80th minute on a loose ball 20 yards out, but two minutes later King found the back of the net again with a low strike from 10 yards out on a Frances Henshall assist. She now holds 11 goals and 28 points on the season.
The Cards tried to knot the match again with three shots in the final seven minutes, but goalkeeper Sydney Wootten managed to save all of them.
UP NEXT
The Pack will take on Notre Dame in the first round of the ACC Championship Sunday. Kickoff is 1 p.m. at Dail Soccer Stadium and the match will be broadcast on the ACC Network Extra.
Team Stats
LOU
ST
Goals
1
2
Shots
12
8
Shots on Goal
7
2
Saves
0
6
Corners
1
0
Fouls
6
6
Scoring Plays
Tziarra King (10)
Assisted By: Ricarda Walkling , Hannah Keogh
GOAL by ST Tziarra King (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Ricarda Walkling and Hannah Keogh, goal number 10 for season.
66:46
Gabrielle Vincent (3)
Assisted By: Brooklynn Rivers
GOAL by LOU Gabrielle Vincent, Assist by Brooklynn Rivers, goal number 3 for season.
79:49
Tziarra King (11)
Assisted By: Frances Henshall
GOAL by ST Tziarra King, Assist by Frances Henshall, goal number 11 for season.
81:13
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
/ Women's SoccerMidfielder
/ Women's SoccerMidfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's SoccerMidfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
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