Wolfpack Returns to Raleigh to Host Michigan State on Thursday

Thursday, September 7

Raleigh, N.C.

7 p.m.

NC State

Michigan State

Photo by: C. Morgan Engel/Clarkson Creative Photography

Wolfpack Returns to Raleigh to Host Michigan State on Thursday

9/6/2023 10:30:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Watch Live Stats NC State Game Notes

RALEIGH – NC State women's soccer returns to Dail Soccer Stadium on Thursday night for a matchup against Michigan State. Thursday night's contest in Raleigh is set for 7 p.m. and will stream live on ACC Network Extra.

LAST TIME OUT
NC State's second-half comeback fell short at Denver on Sunday, falling to the reigning Summit League champions 4-2. The Wolfpack scored twice within a three-minute span to cut the Pioneers' lead to 3-2 with just over 10 minutes remaining. Jameese Joseph converted a one-on-one breakaway opportunity for the first goal before Alexis Strickland headed home the Pack's second goal a few minutes later. Denver halted NC State's momentum with the game's final tally in the 84th minute.

SERIES HISTORY
NC State and Michigan State will square off for the first time on Thursday night. It will also mark NC State's first game against a team from the state of Michigan. The Spartans and Wolfpack have shared one common nonconference opponent -- Colorado. Michigan State and NC State both allowed two goals in narrow defeats in Boulder.

STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE
NC State's sustained success has garnered national attention as the Wolfpack ranked No. 15 in SoccerWire's 2023 list of Top 50 Current NCAA Women's Soccer Programs. The rankings were based on a combination of final United Soccer Coaches Polls and Rating Percentage Index (RPI) from each season, with bonuses awarded for NCAA Tournament qualification and College Cup victories.

WELCOME BACK, EMIKA
Emika Kawagishi, a 2021 ACC All-Freshman Team honoree, made her first appearance in over a year in this past week's matchup at Colorado. Kawagishi, who suffered a season-ending injury during the 2022 preseason, played 34 minutes off the bench on Thursday night for her first action since the Pack's home exhibition against Ohio State this past season. She registered two shots (one on target) in her return to the Pack's lineup.

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Michigan State (4-2), the reigning Big 10 regular season champions, has opened its season with three of its four wins coming in shutout fashion. The Spartans split its matches this past week, notching a 6-0 victory against Eastern Michigan on Thursday before falling 2-1 at home against No. 15 Notre Dame on Sunday. Michigan State was predicted fourth in the Big 10 Preseason Poll, trailing only Penn State, Northwestern and Rutgers. Raegan Cox, Justina Gaynor and Emerson Sargeant all earned spots on the Big Ten Players to Watch list. Junior Jordyn Wickes paces the Spartans with four goals this season.

SPREADING THE WEALTH
Through five games this season, NC State's seven goals have been scored by six different student-athletes. Alexis Strickland leads the Wolfpack with two goals this season, while Leyah Hall-Robinson, Jameese Joseph, Jade Bordeleau, Annika Wohner and Taylor Chism have each scored one goal apiece.

DISTRIBUTION ON POINT
NC State freshman defender Mackenzie Smith has recorded an assist in three straight matches, delivering two of those assists off corner kicks. Smith's three assists rank first on the NC State roster and are tied for sixth among all freshmen nationally.

PROMOTION: BARBIE NIGHT
Join NC State at The Dail on Thursday for Barbie Night as the Pack will be incorporating Barbie-themed prizes all game long, including the giveaway of Wolfpack themed Barbie T-shirts for the first 200 students. All fraternity and sorority members in attendance can earn points for their chapter in this year's Spirit of the Pack Competition.

UP NEXT
The Wolfpack travels to Harvard for its road nonconference finale on Sunday afternoon. Sunday's matchup against the Crimson is set for 1 p.m. and will stream live on ESPN+.