RALEIGH – In-state rivals NC State and UNCC met in Raleigh for an offensive show case on Friday night. In a game that NCSU had to win to keep pace in a tight ACC race they gave one of their best offensive performances of the year racking up 8 goals.
Sam Banasiewicz led the way for the pack scoring an unbelievable double hat trick. The rest of the team held tough to stop a come back by UNCC ultimately winning 8-5 over the 49ers.
Banasiewicz, a senior studying public relations and team captain, exploded for 6 total goals on the night. The captain got his scoring started early in the first period and he never let up from there.
The Pack went on to take a 3-0 lead before UNCC had netted their first goal. UNCC would score two quick goals late in the third to cut the lead to 3-2. Luis Gimenez would net a momentum swinging goal late in the second period to put the Pack up 4-2 entering the third period.
UNCC would challenge for another come back, tying the score up at 5-5 early in the third period. With tensions rising several fights broke out leading to multiple power plays.
That’s when Sam Banasiewicz really took control. The captain took the game into his hands down the stretch scoring the next three goals to complete his double hat trick and to secure a massive 8-5 win over the 7-3-1 Charlotte 49ers.
The Pack meanwhile notched their fifth win of the year moving up to 5-5-0. Banasiewicz would go on to win player of the game honors as he and the IcePack get ready for their next slate of games including in-state foes UNCW and UNC.
The IcePack will be back in action on November 18 when they take on UNCW in Wilmington.