NC State
8-4-3, 3-3-1ACC
#5/9 Louisville
10-2-3, 4-2-1ACC
Two Victories over Top-Five Teams: Wolfpack Wins 3-2 at #5/9 Louisville
10/21/2017 9:07:00 PM | Men's Soccer
NC State leads early, then scores two goals in final nine minutes
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Led by a five-point performance (two goals and one assist) from freshman Manny Perez, the NC State men's soccer team (8-4-3, 3-3-1 ACC) picked up its second victory this season over a top-five foe on Saturday evening, winning 3-2 at No. 5/9 Louisville inside Lynn Stadium.
Trailing 2-1 late in the match, the Wolfpack found another gear and scored two goals in the final nine minutes to earn the road victory that snapped a nine-match unbeaten run for the Cardinals (10-2-3, 4-2-1 ACC). The victory also nearly cemented an ACC Tournament home match for the Wolfpack. If Virginia Tech loses to UNC-Chapel Hill Sunday (2:30 p.m. on ACC Network Extra), NC State is guaranteed a top-eight finish in the ACC, with teams ranking 5-8 hosting home matches on Wednesday, November 1 at 7 p.m.
Perez scored two of the Wolfpack's three goals, finding the back of the net in the 32nd minute and scoring the match winner in the 88th. Junior Clayton Sparks scored to tie the contest at 2-2 in the 82nd minute. Freshman David Loera (2), Perez (1), and Ade Taiwo (1) also distributed assists in the win.
"I see the players learning how to deal with situations in matches more maturely," NC State head coach George Kiefer said after the victory. "This is helping us get wins!"
And here's the celebration with the team and @CoachKiefer! pic.twitter.com/8wClgFxg8I
— NC State MSOC ???? (@PackMensSoccer) October 22, 2017
It appeared that NC State had once again taken an early lead on the road against a top-five opponent, but Christoph Schneuwly's headed goal in the 13th minute was judged offside. Freshman Brad Sweeney lofted in an impressive free kick from 40 yards away and the junior defender leapt through the air to nod it across goal an inside the far post, but the linesman's flag was raised to nullify the goal.
NC State took the lead in the 32nd minute when Perez scored his fourth goal of the season. Classmate Loera played in a great through ball and Perez collected the pass and held off his defender long enough to tuck a shot inside the far post from 12 yards out.
Highlights: @mannyP113 puts us up 1-0 in the 32nd minute on an assist from @sergi_loera3300. #GoPack pic.twitter.com/yp584ngv3D
— NC State MSOC ???? (@PackMensSoccer) October 22, 2017
Leon Krapf preserved the lead with a huge save in the 42nd minute, leaping high to tip a Tate Schmitt shot just over the frame for a Cardinals corner.
Louisville pulled level in the 58th minute when Mohamed Thiaw earned and finished a penalty. He then scored his eighth goal of the season in the 79th minute to give the Cardinals a 2-1 lead, finishing with a well-struck shot from a very tight angle.
It appeared that the Wolfpack had scored to draw level in the 80th minute when Jan-Luca Ahillen sent in a free kick towards the target from long range. The delivery made it through the tangle of attacking players and defenders into the back of the net without being touched, but it was called back for an offside decision.
Shortly thereafter, Sparks tied the match in the 82nd minute when he finished from six yards following a nice cross into the area from Perez. Loera also assisted on the goal.
Here's @cjay_sparks making it 2-2 on assists from @sergi_loera3300 and @mannyP113. #GoPack pic.twitter.com/EbAK53AtrF
— NC State MSOC ???? (@PackMensSoccer) October 22, 2017
Perez then put the Wolfpack back in front in the 88th minute when he beat the goalkeeper on a partial breakaway thanks to a brilliant through ball from Taiwo.
Here's @mannyP113 with the match-winner in the 88th minute on an assist from @ade_taiwo7. #GoPack #ACCmsoccer pic.twitter.com/Hp5NG4kMED
— NC State MSOC ???? (@PackMensSoccer) October 22, 2017
NC State closes the regular season with two straight matches at home next week. The Wolfpack will host South Carolina on Tuesday, Oct. 24 and Boston College on Friday, Oct. 27. Both matches will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra.
#GoPack | @PackMensSoccer
Team Stats
Manny Perez (4)
Assisted By: David Loera
Finished inside far right post from 10 y
31:56
Mohamed Thiaw (7)
LOU Mohamed Thiaw PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 7 for season.
57:29
Mohamed Thiaw (8)
Assisted By: Tim Kubel , Walker Andriot
Finished inside far right on tight angle
78:45
Clayton Sparks (3)
Assisted By: David Loera , Manny Perez
Cross into box from right by #2, finishe
81:32
Manny Perez (5)
Assisted By: Ade Taiwo
Run up the right side capped with goal i
87:41
