NC State
6-5-2, 0-4-2
Virginia
5-7-2, 2-4-0
NC State Drops Match to Virginia, 2-1
10/15/2021 10:09:00 PM | Men's Soccer
RALEIGH – NC State men's soccer (6-5-2, 0-4-2 ACC) cut into its two-goal deficit to Virginia (5-7-2, 2-4-0 ACC) but ultimately fell just short in Friday night's 2-1 loss to the Cavaliers.
The teams were deadlocked in nearly every statistical category following the first half, but Virginia took control in the early minutes of the second half. The Cavaliers broke the stalemate in the 54th minute when Michael Tsicoulias played a ball across the box to Leo Afonso, who slotted it into the lower corner in a scrum in the box.
Shortly after, Jules Anderson played a ball through to Afonso in the 58th minute. Leon Krapf made a one-on-one save on Afonso, but the rebound bounced off the body of NC State defender Jamie Smith and into the goal.
Smith redeemed that error five minutes later in the 63rd with his third free kick goal of the season. He fired the ball directly on target to the far side of the goal, and it hit the crossbar before falling down into the net.
The Pack got off the final four shots of the match, forcing Virginia keeper Holden Brown to make three saves in the final 15 minutes of the outing. In total, NC State out-shot Virgina 11-10 with five of its strikes comoing on target. The Pack also owned the advantage in corners drawn (7-4).
NC State rounds out its three-game home stretch on Tuesday, Oct. 19 with a non-conference matchup against William & Mary. That game is set for a 7 p.m. start on ACCNX.
#GoPack | @PackMensSoccer
Team Stats
Leo Afonso (6)
Assisted By: Michael Tsicoulias
GOAL by UVA Afonso, Leo Assist by Tsicoulias, Michael.
53:40
0
GOAL by UVA TEAM.
57:47
Jamie Smith (3)
GOAL by NCSU Smith, Jamie.
63:40
