November 6, 2019

 

RALEIGH – The fifth-seeded NC State men’s soccer team (9-5-3) picked up a 2-1 win over 12th-seeded Duke (7-9-3) in the first round of the 2019 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Wednesday afternoon inside Dail Soccer Stadium.

 

The victory marks NC State’s second straight trip to the quarterfinal round of the ACC Tournament. NC State will visit fourth-seeded Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon at 3 pm.

 

NC State got off to a fast start, taking a 1-0 lead in just the sixth minute. Gabriel Machado brought the ball up the field and found Ivy Brisma with an accurate pass as he was making a run up the right wing. Brisma crossed in a dangerous ball at the six-yard box to Pepe Garcia, who was able to tap it home from close range to give the Wolfpack a 1-0 advantage.

 

Kuda Muskwe doubled this lead with his fifth goal of the season in the 23rd minute. Junior midfielder David Loera found Muskwe with pass inside the Duke penalty area. Muskwe did a great job of controlling the ball and chipped a shot just over the onrushing goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

 

Duke’s Daniele Proch got the Blue Devils on the board in the 29th minute with his team-leading 12th goal of the season. After a ball across the box, the senior finished at the near post. Daniel Wright and Max Moser assisted on the goal.

 

NC State senior goalkeeper Vincent Durand made a very important save in the 45th minute, denying a Suniel Veerakone header from close range to preserve the Wolfpack’s lead.

 

The winner of NC State and Pittsburgh will play either top-seeded Clemson or eighth-seeded Notre Dame on Wednesday, Nov. 13. Clemson will host the winner of NC State and Pittsburgh if it defeats Notre Dame. If Notre Dame defeats Clemson, the winner of NC State and Pittsburgh will host the Fighting Irish in the semifinal round.

 

#GoPack | @PackMensSoccer