Monday, August 28
7:00 pm
NC State
2-0-0, 0-0-0
3
vs
0
USC Upstate
1-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
USC Upstate
0
0
0
NC State
0
3
3
NC State improves to 2-0 with strong second half surge
8/28/2023 10:07:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Cruz, Hille, Buete each score in second half for 3-0 Pack win
RALEIGH, NC – The rain went away early, but NC State poured it on late versus USC Upstate.
The Wolfpack improved to 3-0 with an impressive 3-0 win over the Spartans.
NC State scored all three of their goals in the second half.
"I thought the guys responded really well at halftime," head coach George Kiefer said. "A lot of negative play in the first half, which I think fed what they (USC Upstate were doing). As soon as the whistle blew in the second half we were all over them; attacking, running, playing forward, scoring goals. Really pleased with the guys in the second half."
Ervin Cruz scored the first goal of the night, and the first of his career, in the second half igniting the 1,804 fans in attendance.
Cruz, a freshman from Knightdale in his first start, would get his first career assists on the next goal, setting up teammate Luke Hille.
Hille, one of the more experienced players on the roster, has two goals in two games off the bench for the Wolfpack.
"I'm definitely in the groove," Hille said. "I'm feeling good, my body is feeling good."
Hille said the team has been putting in a lot of work to win the ball and attack. It showed when he hustled ahead of the defense, taking the perfect pass from Cruz to find the back of the net.
"Ervin won the ball inside, split me in," Hille explained, "I just took my time and found the back of the net."
Co-captain Will Buete would score the final goal on a penalty kick for his first points of the year.
NC State has outscored its first two opponents 6-1 through two games.
"We're just staying tight," Hille said. "We're working together on and off the ball. We are blocking shots, we are being gritty on both sides of the field and that's what we pride ourselves on."
Goalie Lucas Hatsios recorded the sixth shutout of his career. It was the second consecutive season the Pack has kept the Spartans off the scoreboard. NC State improves to 3-0-1 all-time against USC Upstate.
Up next: NC State travels to Orlando to take on UCF on Friday at 7 pm.
#GoPack | #PackMensSoccer
The Wolfpack improved to 3-0 with an impressive 3-0 win over the Spartans.
Head coach George Kiefer on the 3-0 win over USC Upstate. pic.twitter.com/PxtdFpQy59
— NC State Men's Soccer (@PackMensSoccer) August 29, 2023
NC State scored all three of their goals in the second half.
"I thought the guys responded really well at halftime," head coach George Kiefer said. "A lot of negative play in the first half, which I think fed what they (USC Upstate were doing). As soon as the whistle blew in the second half we were all over them; attacking, running, playing forward, scoring goals. Really pleased with the guys in the second half."
Ervin Cruz scored the first goal of the night, and the first of his career, in the second half igniting the 1,804 fans in attendance.
Cruz, a freshman from Knightdale in his first start, would get his first career assists on the next goal, setting up teammate Luke Hille.
Hille, one of the more experienced players on the roster, has two goals in two games off the bench for the Wolfpack.
"I'm definitely in the groove," Hille said. "I'm feeling good, my body is feeling good."
Hille said the team has been putting in a lot of work to win the ball and attack. It showed when he hustled ahead of the defense, taking the perfect pass from Cruz to find the back of the net.
"Ervin won the ball inside, split me in," Hille explained, "I just took my time and found the back of the net."
Co-captain Will Buete would score the final goal on a penalty kick for his first points of the year.
NC State has outscored its first two opponents 6-1 through two games.
"We're just staying tight," Hille said. "We're working together on and off the ball. We are blocking shots, we are being gritty on both sides of the field and that's what we pride ourselves on."
Goalie Lucas Hatsios recorded the sixth shutout of his career. It was the second consecutive season the Pack has kept the Spartans off the scoreboard. NC State improves to 3-0-1 all-time against USC Upstate.
Up next: NC State travels to Orlando to take on UCF on Friday at 7 pm.
#GoPack | #PackMensSoccer
Team Stats
USCU
NCSU
Goals
0
3
Shots
5
19
Shots on Goal
1
9
Saves
6
1
Corners
0
8
Fouls
7
8
Scoring Plays
Ervin Cruz (1)
Assisted By: Scotty Taylor
GOAL by NCSU Cruz, Ervin Assist by Taylor, Scotty.
49:10
Luke Hille (2)
Assisted By: Ervin Cruz
GOAL by NCSU Hille, Luke Assist by Cruz, Ervin.
61:21
Will Buete
NCSU Will Buete PENALTY KICK GOAL.
74:44
Game Leaders
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
1
fwd
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
mid
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
MF
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