NC State
4-2-0, 0-1-0
James Madison
4-2-0, 1-0-0
Smith’s Set Piece Brace Propels Pack to 2-1 Victory Over JMU
9/14/2021 9:42:00 PM | Men's Soccer
RALEIGH – A pair of free kick scores by Jamie Smith led NC State men's soccer (4-2-0) to the 2-1 win over visiting James Madison (4-2-0) on Tuesday night at Dail Soccer Stadium.
Smith's brace off the set pieces highlighted a nine-shot night for the Wolfpack, and the center back joined teammate Luke Hille as two of just a handful of ACC players to put together a multi-goal game this season.
Smith opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a 30-yard free kick rocket that went over JMU's wall and dipped under the crossbar into the upper left corner of the goal. It marked Smith's first goal of the 2021 season and his first in nearly two years, as he last found the back of the net on Sept. 17, 2019.
The Birmingham, England, native followed up with his second goal in the 55th minute off of yet another free kick. This one came from the right side of the penalty box about 25 yards out, and Smith curved it around the wall and into the bottom right corner of the goal.
NC State's defensive performance on the night was just as impressive, with goalkeeper Leon Krapf and defender Pepe Garcia coming up clutch in some key first-half moments. Garcia blocked multiple shots in the opening period, with two of those coming after spectacular saves by Krapf to prevent the Dukes from scoring on the ensuing rebounds. Krapf made four saves in the outing, three of which came in the first half.
The Dukes did manage a late 90th minute goal when Axel Ahlander sent a hopeful cross into the box. That ball was cleared to Chay Strine, who passed it into the lower right corner of the goal.
NC State will play its first road match of the 2021 campaign on Friday against Notre Dame. Kickoff between the Wolfpack and the Fighting Irish is set for 7 p.m. from Alumni Stadium in South Bend, Ind.
#GoPack | @PackMensSoccer
Team Stats
Jamie Smith (2)
GOAL by NCSU Smith, Jamie.
21:30
Jamie Smith (2)
GOAL by NCSU Smith, Jamie.
54:11
Chay Strine (1)
Assisted By: Axel Ahlander
GOAL by JMU Strine, Chay Assist by Ahlander, Axel.
89:53
