Pack's Historic Season Ends In Penalty Kicks In NCAA Second Round

Friday, November 17

Cary, N.C.

2:30PM

NC State

15-5-2

No. 13/10 Princeton (NCAA Second Round)

15-2-1

OT 3

OT 4

NC State

Princeton

Pack's Historic Season Ends In Penalty Kicks In NCAA Second Round

11/17/2017 6:11:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score @PackWSoccer

CARY, N.C. – The No. 21 NC State women's soccer team's season came to an end in the second round of the NCAA Championship on Friday evening as Princeton advanced to the third round in penalty kicks, 5-4, at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Tigers move on with a 15-2-1 record, while the Wolfpack's season comes to a close at 15-5-2.

COACH SANTORO'S TAKE
Thoughts on the match
"First off, congrats to Princeton for moving on. Sean (Driscoll) has done a great job with that team all year, and I wish them the best moving forward. For our team, it's disappointing to end today, especially how it happened with the shootout, but that's a part of soccer. It's a tough way to lose, but that's how it is."

On the evenness of the match
"It was an even game. They had chances to score, and we did too. That game could've gone either way. There are obviously some moments that we wish we'd like to have back, but I can think of a couple that they (Princeton) probably wish they had back. It was an even game."

THOUGHTS FROM WOOTEN
Overall thoughts on the season
"I think we've developed so much, even from last year. Although we finished in the Sweet 16 last year, I think we've performed so much better as a unit this season. I would say it was very successful. Princeton was a very good opponent. It's definitely not something to be crushed about because we've come such a long way."

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Pack tallied three shots in the first half. The first came from Ricci Walkling in the 10th minute with a strike on goal that missed just high, that was followed by a Paige Griffiths shot from inside the box that missed wide right.

Maxine Blackwood had the team's best look of the half in the 21st minute with a low strike from inside the penalty box, but the ball was deflected off of a Princeton defender on the goal line.

In the 66th minute, Princeton scored to take a 1-0 lead. Vanessa Gregoire took a shot that rebounded out to Carolyn Davidson, who managed to finish her shot inside the near left post off the rebound.

Tziarra King scored the equalizer in the 82nd minute on a Ricci Walkling assist, as the Wolfpack midfielder put a low strike inside the left post from the top of the box to force extra time.

Princeton got a shot off from ten yards out midway through the first overtime period, but Sydney Wootten made the save.

In the 101st minute of play, Paige Griffiths delivered the Wolfpack's only shot of the two overtime periods, a strike on goal from inside the box that was saved by Natalie Grossi.

The Tigers fired off three shots during the second overtime frame, but only one was on goal and was yet again handled by Wootten for her eighth save of the match.

The teams headed into a shootout, where NC State managed to convert its first four penalty kicks before Princeton tied up the score. It was ultimately Carolyne Davidson whose shot bounced off the right post and into the goal to send Princeton to the third round.

NC State concludes its historic year having set many program marks. The team put up a 6-3-1 record in ACC play, recording the most conference wins for the program since 1995. After advancing to the ACC Championship semifinals for the first time in more than two decades, the Wolfpack then earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament, its first back-to-back appearances at the national tournament since 1995-'96.