August 31, 2018

RALEIGH – The 14th-ranked NC State men’s soccer team (3-0-0) picked up its third straight win and second consecutive victory over a team that won its conference in 2017 on Friday evening, defeating the Presbyterian Blue Hose 2-0 at Dail Soccer Stadium.

Gabriel Machado scored for the second consecutive match to give the Wolfpack a 1-0 lead in the 54th minute and Cjay Sparks put the match away in the 86th minute when he doubled NC State’s advantage.

Sophomore midfielder David Loera recorded assists on both goals while classmate Manny Perez and senior Simon Blotko also contributed one assist apiece.

Postgame Notes

-NC State is 3-0-0 to start a season for the first time since 2015.

-The Wolfpack is now 5-0-0 in the series against Presbyterian.

-NC State has scored seven goals this season while allowing just one.

-The shutout was the ninth in the career of sophomore goalkeeper Leon Krapf (21 matches).

-Friday’s match featured 28 fouls, 25 shots, and five yellow cards.

The two teams combined for a total of 10 shots in the first half, but neither side was able to find the back of the net. Iverson Brisma (17th minute) and Machado (44th) each had quality scoring opportunities, but Presbyterian (0-3-0) goalkeeper Jan Hoffelner was well positioned to make each save. NC State’s Krapf was also tested in the 44th minute, but he stopped a hard shot by Clement Vannier of the Blue Hose just before the halftime break.

Just nine minutes after the halftime break, NC State struck for the first time when Perez began a scoring opportunity with a pass to Blotko on the wing. The senior outside back whipped in a perfect ball to Loera, who headed it on frame to necessitate a diving save by Hoffelner. The rebound kicked back out to Machado, who struck it first time and beat the goalkeeper to give NC State a 1-0 lead.

Loera then found Perez streaking up the right wing in the 86th minute to begin the sequence of the second goal. Perez crossed in an accurate low bar towards the near post that Sparks hammered into the back of the net to double NC State’s advantage.

NC State returns to action at home on Monday evening when William & Mary comes to Raleigh. Kickoff from Dail Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 7 pm with live video coverage provided by ACC Network Extra.

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