RALEIGH – There was not a cloud in the sky but you wouldn’t have known that if you were at Dail stadium tonight because looking up all you saw was a cloud of red smoke. Nearing the end of it’s regular season NC State (10-4-1) women’s soccer hosted the Clemson Tigers (8-4-2) as they brought the people of Dail stadium to their feet with a big victory. This victory made it 3 straight ACC wins for the Wolfpack ladies.
The game started out in Wolfpack possession with Walkling and King both taking shots and missing high. After Walkling attempts another shot that is saved by Clemson goalie, Clemson comes back hot but Wooten makes a diving save to stop the Clemson tigers from scoring. Kia Rankin takes a shot on goal with a close miss but she didn’t let that go because shortly after the stadium is covered in red smoke with a Wolfpack GOAL! This makes Rankins 4 th goal of the season assisted by Boch. Clemson held a strong midfield the first half but had inability to get past the Wolfpack defense. Possession was on Wolfpack offense most of the first half. With just 3:30 left in the first half Clemson takes a shot at Wolfpack territory but it is no good as it is headed out at the top of the box. Last 10 seconds of the half Clemson gets a direct kick into Wolfpack territory but the Tigers will end the half off the scoreboard.
Halftime show got fans rowdy as a game of musical chairs and dress like wolf brought kids out on the field.
However, Wolfpack fans really got loud cheering their girls back out onto the field for the second half. With a 1-0 lead over the Clemson Tigers going into the second half the WolfPack girls weren’t cocky but the Tigers were ready to fight. The first few minutes of the second half were spent with Wolfpack playing some heavy defense. 10 minutes in to second half and a foul is called outside penalty box on NC State, but the corner kick is sent out being returned as a strike to goal but is sent over the net. Over half way through the second half a yellow card is given to #3 on Clemson. Wolfpack Guttenberger gets a direct kick from right outside of the box and it is deflected off the wall.
Wolfpack brings the ball down field with the help of Walkling, where King gets a shot at goal but it is caught in the arms of Clemson’s goalie. Clemson spends a lot of the second half on the Wolfpack side of the field but has no luck getting on the scoreboard. Rankin gets one more shot down the field just missing the left corner of the goal. With just 1:30 left in the game Clemson doesn’t let NC State get away without a fight getting another shot at goal and barely missing over the top. It was an exciting last 15 seconds in Dail stadium as Clemson brought their goalie into Wolfpack territory but the clock runs out and Wolfpack takes the victory.
Come cheer on the now 11-4- 1 Wolfpack ladies as they take on Louisville for the final regular season home game and host senior night on 10/26.