NC State
1-0-0
Florida Atlantic
0-1-0
Wolfpack Earns 3-2 Win over FAU in Season Opener
8/25/2017 9:40:00 PM | Men's Soccer
NC State twice battles back from a trailing position to defeat Owls
RALEIGH – The NC State men's soccer team began its 2017 season on a high note Friday evening by defeating visiting Florida Atlantic University 3-2 in the season opener for both clubs.
Led by goals from Tanner Roberts (26'), Stephen Elias (28'), and freshman Manny Perez (33'), the Wolfpack twice battled back from a one-goal deficit to earn the victory. In addition to his first career goal, Elias also contributed an assist on Perez's match-winning strike in the 33rd minute.
Friday's match was the first under new NC State head coach George Kiefer, who took over the Wolfpack program in November 2016 following 15 successful seasons and 10 NCAA Tournament berths at the University of South Florida (USF).
.@CoachKiefer with a word of thanks for the fans and @NCSURedTerrors after tonight's 3-2 win. #STATEment #ncaasoccer pic.twitter.com/IddgCX57h3
— NCSU Men's Soccer (@PackMensSoccer) August 26, 2017
Florida Atlantic (0-1-0) took an early lead in the match against the run of play, scoring in the 19th minute when Carlos Sanchis fired a low shot from 15 yards inside the right post following a throw in by teammate Dylan Huber.
It seemed the Wolfpack was destined to answer just a few minutes later after Perez earned a penalty, but Max Luftl's well-placed attempt was saved by FAU goalkeeper Daniel Ragoo, recording the first of his seven saves of the evening. Just minutes later, Roberts scored his first goal of the season, heading a bending Brad Sweeney free kick low and inside the right post to level the score at one apiece.
FAU took the lead again in the 27th minute, this time on a bit of good fortune for the Owls. Sanchis took a shot towards the goal from 10 yards out, and though NC State freshman goalkeeper Leon Krapf was tracking the attempt, it took a deflection off a Wolfpack defender to change course and slowly trickle over the line.
Elias pulled the match level once more in the 28th minute with his successful penalty and Perez gave the Wolfpack a lead it would never relinquish in the 33rd. Elias set up the match-winning goal with a shot on target that was saved by Ragoo and Perez followed the rebound, striking it first time to claim the 3-2 advantage.
Freshman @mannyP113 answers a question from @TechSports about scoring the match winner in his career debut. #ncaasoccer ???? pic.twitter.com/dap6347TvQ
— NCSU Men's Soccer (@PackMensSoccer) August 26, 2017
NC State controlled the majority of the second half, allowing just one shot on target during the final 45 minutes.
NC State is next in action at William & Mary on August 28 before hosting three straight home matches against LIU Brooklyn (Sept. 1), No. 5 Clemson (Sept. 8), and Longwood (Sept. 12).
#GoPack | @PackMensSoccer
Team Stats
Carlos Sanchis (1)
Assisted By: Dylan Huber
Hard, low shot from 15 yards following t
20:01
Tanner Roberts (1)
Assisted By: Brad Sweeney
Cross from 30 yards, Roberts header low
25:59
Carlos Sanchis (2)
Shot on target, redirected and wrongfoot
26:11
Stephen Elias (1)
ST Stephen Elias PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 1 for season.
27:44
Manny Perez (1)
Assisted By: Stephen Elias
Rebound, first time finish
32:32
