The NC State men's soccer team used a two-goal outburst in a span of just 25 seconds in the second half to defeat visiting Presbyterian, 5-1, Wednesday night at the Dail Soccer Field. The Wolfpack (3-3) got a two-goal, one-assist effort from senior Akil DeFreitas, and the Pack's defense limited the Blue Hose (1-4-1) to just two shots on goal.
NC State would add one more before the half in the 40th minute. Junior Farouk Bseiso won the ball in the center of the field, and found freshman Nader Jaibat on the right wing. Jaibat sent a through ball past the Blue Hose defense, and DeFreitas ran onto it and finished off the shot at the 39:16 mark for his first goal of the game.
The Pack dominated the flow of play in the first half, as NC State held a 11-2 shot advantage, and forced the Blue Hose's James Neal to make seven first-half saves in goal.
Presbyterian would make things interesting in the second half, when Jonny Mercado's blast from 30 yards out cut the lead in half in the 70th minute, at 2-1.
The Pack would respond and put the game away with a pair of goals just 25 seconds apart. Freshman Mamadou Kansaye was the first to find the back of the net at the 77:00 mark, after DeFreitas stole the ball deep and slotted a pass across the penalty box. Smith would then connect on his own goal just 25 seconds later at the 77:25 mark, after he cleaned up a rebound, also for his third goal of the year.
NC State would add one more in the 86th minute. Bseiso again started the play with a through ball in the center of the field, which sprung DeFreitas on a breakaway, and his second goal of the game at the 85:56 mark.
The Pack would out-shoot the Blue Hose 16-7 on the day, included a 13-2 advantage on shots on goal.
NC State will return to ACC action this weekend, as the Pack plays host to Virginia Tech on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at the Dail Soccer Field.
NCSU 2 3 - 5 Presbyterian 0 1 - 1
Scoring: NCSU-Zuerner from Smith at 2:44 NCSU-DeFreitas from Jaibat and Bseiso at 39:16 PC-Mercado unassisted at 69:56 NCSU-Kansaye from DeFreitas at 77:00 NCSU-Smith unassisted at 77:25 NCSU-DeFreitas from Bseiso at 85:56
Shots: NCSU 16, PC 7 Saves: NCSU 1 (Mackvick 1), PC 8 (Neal 7) Corner Kicks: NCSU 2, PC 6 Fouls: NCSU 7, PC 14