September 23, 2024
Raleigh, NC– Sunday afternoon provided the NC State women’s soccer team (3-6-1, 0-2) with a huge opportunity to make a statement against the #1 team in the country. The Stanford Cardinal (9-1, 1-1) made the trip across the country to take on the Wolfpack who came in off a tough loss to the California Bears. The Cardinal were also coming off a loss of their own to #13 Wake Forest and were hungry to get back on track in Raleigh.
The two teams met only 1 previous time, a 2-0 Cardinal win in 1990, and this was the first matchup featuring both teams being in the same conference. The Cardinal were the 2023 national runner-up to fellow ACC member Florida St. and have established themselves as one of the elite programs in women’s college soccer. The task would be a tall one for the Pack if they wanted to take down the nation’s best, however they were up to the challenge for most of the match.
1st Half
The Stanford Cardinal began the match by attacking the Wolfpack with several early shots. The Cardinal would collect 4 shots in the first 16 minutes of play including 1 in the 3rd minute by Charlotte Kohler from up at the top of the box. From that point forward, the Cardinal would test the skills of NC State goaltender Olivia Pratapas. Pratapas though was up for the challenge as she collected 2 early saves to keep the score at 0-0 after the first 15 minutes.
The Cardinal would collect a total of 10 shots in the first half and held NC State to just 1 in the first 45 minutes. Limiting shots has been the staple of the Cardinal defense all year as they came in holding opponents to under 7 shots per game while allowing only 2 goals on the season. That trend would continue on Sunday as the Wolfpack was held to just 5 total shots. Stanford’s defense proved once again to be very stingy and difficult to sustain any pressure against.
The Wolfpack defense also proved to be a thorn in the side of the Cardinal offense in the first half as Pratapas was able to make 5 saves of her own. The NC State offense was unable to get anything going in the first half thanks to the Cardinal limiting the chances and holding possession of the ball for much of the half. Annika Wohner would get a shot in the 45th minute for NC State as the half was ending, but no save was required. Both teams would head to the half scoreless locked in a 0-0 tie to end the first.
2nd Half
The second half proved to be more fruitful for the Cardinal as they began the half much as they did in the first. A quick shot by Joelle Jung had to be saved by Pratapas. Jung would soon be the catalyst for the first goal of the game scored by the Stanford Cardinal in the 58th minute. The goal scored by Jasmine Aikey was assisted by Jung and gave the Cardinal a 1-0 lead. That would be all they would need as the stifling defense by the Cardinal would be the story of the night.
The Cardinal defense held the Wolfpack to just 4 shots in the second half and only 1 shot on goal that Haley Craig would need to save. The Wolfpack were able to get their best chance of the night in the 85th minute when Alex Mohr tagged the crossbar, but the shot ended up staying in play and was cleared out to avoid any trouble.
The Cardinal would tack on their second goal of the night in the 79th minute when Maryn Wolf would put Stanford up 2-0. The goal was assisted by Eleanor Klinger. The goal for the Cardinal would put the game away for Stanford as NC State was unable to break the pressure of the Cardinal defense following the 2-goal deficit. The Cardinal would hold on to the 2-0 lead the rest of the way to earn their 9th win of the season and their first ever win in the ACC. It would be their 6th shutout of the season.
Next up for the Wolfpack is a date with Notre Dame on Thursday in South Bend at 7PM.
Final Stats:
