The NC State men’s soccer team started its 2009 season with a 3-1 win over Winthrop at the Dail Soccer Field Tuesday night. The Wolfpack (1-0) would score twice in the first half to grab the lead, and give the impressive crowd of 1,800 much to cheer for in the second half with many near misses.
The Pack would add another score before the half with much of the same build up. It was Byrd this time who crossed the ball into the box, where Sanchez controlled it and passed it onto Bouemboue for his first goal of the season at the 30:41 mark.
Much of the first half was played in the midfield for the two teams, as the two teams combined for just eight shots (NC State 5-3 advantage).
NC State would add a third score of the game late in the second half. Junior Chris Zuerner rung a shot off the post, and junior Akil DeFreitas was in the perfect spot to one-time the shot into the back of the net at the 86:25 mark.
Winthrop would score less than three minutes left to avoid the shutout. Michael Luk took a free kick from 20 yards out for the Eagles lone score of the game.
The Pack won the shot count 18-11 for the game. NC State keeper Christopher Widman made two saves for the winning effort, while Winthrop’s Enrique Miranda was busy in the Eagles goal with seven saves.
NC State will return to action this weekend, as the Pack heads to Durham for a pair of games in the Duke Classic. NC State will first face Denver Friday night at 5:00 p.m., and then battle Columbia on Sunday at noon.
NC State 2 1 -- 3
Winthrop 0 1 -- 1
Scoring: NC State-Byrd from Bouemboue and Nachmann at 16:34
NC State-Bouemboue from Sanchez and Byrd at 30:41
NC State-DeFreitas from Zuerner at 86:25
Winthrop-Luk unassisted at 87:42
Shots: NC State 18, Winthrop 11
Saves: NC State 2 (Widman 2), Winthrop (Miranda 7)
Corner Kick: NC State 4, Winthrop 3
Fouls: NC State 8, Winthrop 11
Records: NC State 1-0, Winthrop 0-1