Courtesy: Karl DeBlaker http://www.gopack.com/ The Wolfpack's senior class - Katie Ruiz, Gia Cipollini, Kendall Irby, Meredith Parrilla and Chantalle Dugas
RALEIGH, N.C. – Nicole Lipp scored two second-half goals to send Duke to a 2-0 victory over NC State in the regular season finale for the both clubs on a dreary Sunday afternoon at Dail Soccer Field.
NC State finishes the season with an 8-9-2 overall record and a 2-7-1 record in the ACC, while Duke improves to 8-7-4, 4-4-2 in the league.
After a tough first half that featured both sides battling for possession, Duke capitalized on a deflection that Lipp one-timed into the net for a 1-0 lead at the 57:23 mark of the second half.
Cody Newman’s cross was pushed away by Wolfpack keeper Kim Kern, but the ball rolled right out in front of the net and Lipp connected for her first goal of the season.
Duke was later awarded a penalty kick after Pack senior defender Gia Cipollini was flagged for a yellow card in the box in the 73rd minute, but Elisabeth Redmond missed wayward with her shot and it remained a one-goal advantage for the Blue Devils.
Later in the half, Lipp took a loose ball in the midfield and dribbled towards the net and slipped a shot into the lower left corner for a 2-0 lead at the 81:47 mark.
The Wolfpack had its chances today and actually held a slight 13-12 advantage in the shot column. It just came down to Duke taking advantages of the chances that they afforded themselves.
“I think they were a little better about pulling the trigger when they had the chance,” senior Katie Ruiz said. “We had some looks in the second half to get shots off, but we we’re a little slow in getting our shots off today.”
And though the Wolfpack didn’t come out on the winning side in its final game, senior midfielder Meredith Parrilla was encouraged of the way her team battled today.
“We knew coming in we we’re out of the ACC Tournament – win, lose, or tie,” Parrilla said. “It’s just a pride thing for us. I’ve never played with a group of girls like this that fight and claw and scratch. I’m so proud of this team. I thought I would be more disappointed with a loss, but I’m not. We just came out and fought until the last whistle.”
So with today comes the end of Steve Springthorpe’s first season at NC State and both Ruiz and Parrilla spoke highly of the job he has done and how the future looks good in Raleigh for the red and white.
“There moving in the right direction for sure,” added Ruiz. “The attitude change that I’ve seen is something that will carry them forward. I felt like we really believed in ourselves this year and that helped us get a couple wins in conference play.”
Springthorpe was also encouraged by what he saw on the field in 2009.
“I think we made some improvements. Beating a good UVA squad was a good step for us. Being in games with tough ACC opponents is a big step for us. We are nowhere near where we want to be, but I think we’ve made some good movement forward.”
He also made a point to stress what the five seniors - Parrilla, Ruiz, Cipollini, Chantalle Dugas and Kendall Irby did for this club.
“I’m sad that it’s ended for them, but at the same time I appreciate everything they did for us, helping turn our program around,” said Springthorpe. They made some big drastic improvements in themselves.
“But ultimately we will have to keep moving forward, and learn how to win tougher games.”
AGATE
Goals by period 1 2 Tot Duke 0 2 2 NC State 0 0 0
SCORING SUMMARY: 1 57:23 DUKE Nicole Lipp (1) (Cody Newman) 2 81:47 DUKE Nicole Lipp (2) (unassisted)
Shots: Duke 12, NC State 13 Saves: Duke 7 (Tara Campbell 7), NC State 3 (Kim Kern 3)
Courtesy: Karl DeBlaker
