FINAL: NC State 3, Radford 1
RECORD: 1-0-0
NEXT: USC Upstate at NC State
Monday, August 28, 2023, at 7 p.m.
The score does not accurately reflect NC State's dominance. The Wolfpack outshot Radford, 17-2, in the match. Both teams converted at a high rate in their shots of goal, with NCSU making three of its five while the Highlanders drilled its only attempt on target.
In some ways, it was a continuation of what NC State had done in its three previous matches (all exhibitions). The Pack has now netted 14 times in the four games while conceding only four goals.
NC State head coach George Kiefer will rightly lament not scoring more goals in this particular contest, and mentioned afterward that his team should have poked home six or seven goals minimum. He expects better finishing in the future.
Lack of finishing, or simply squandering chances in general, can hurt teams. The Wolfpack suffered from about three minutes of madness and it cost them one goal while also nearly seeing the match tied at two goals each with around 25 minutes remaining. Otherwise., NC State dominated the other 87 minutes. Teams that control 87 minutes have lost to squads that made plays in only three minutes many times before. It is also how a sure-win can become a draw, or an evenly played match can become a bitter defeat.
The free-flowing style that NC State has exhibited should be pleasing to the eye for long-time soccer followers, newer fans, and casual observers who just want to root for the Pack.
How that translates when ACC play begins is hard to discern at this point, but what is clear is that NC State essentially has no expectations to meet outside of its own because the coaches in the league picked the Wolfpack to finish last in the Atlantic Division.
The NC State goals were scored by Scotty Taylor (a grad transfer from Duke), Luke Hille (an NCFC Academy player from Cary, NC), and Junior Nare (a South African transfer from LaSalle who from the stands somewhat physically resembles former Real Madrid and Dutch wing/defensive back Royston Drenthe).
A player I really liked in NC State's win Friday was Ervin Cruz, a freshman from Knightdale. He made some marauding runs into Radford's back half of the pitch and created lots of chaos. Again, how his skill translates once the Wolfpack reaches ACC play is hard to tell, but he is a bundle of positive energy and skill. I expect him, assuming he stays healthy, to have a fine opening season with the Wolfpack.
It is unclear whether there will be a significant improvement from Kiefer's squad in 2023, but there do seem to be pieces that, if given time, can gel into something of consequence -- either/or this season and beyond.
RECORD: 1-0-0
NEXT: USC Upstate at NC State
Monday, August 28, 2023, at 7 p.m.
The score does not accurately reflect NC State's dominance. The Wolfpack outshot Radford, 17-2, in the match. Both teams converted at a high rate in their shots of goal, with NCSU making three of its five while the Highlanders drilled its only attempt on target.
In some ways, it was a continuation of what NC State had done in its three previous matches (all exhibitions). The Pack has now netted 14 times in the four games while conceding only four goals.
NC State head coach George Kiefer will rightly lament not scoring more goals in this particular contest, and mentioned afterward that his team should have poked home six or seven goals minimum. He expects better finishing in the future.
Lack of finishing, or simply squandering chances in general, can hurt teams. The Wolfpack suffered from about three minutes of madness and it cost them one goal while also nearly seeing the match tied at two goals each with around 25 minutes remaining. Otherwise., NC State dominated the other 87 minutes. Teams that control 87 minutes have lost to squads that made plays in only three minutes many times before. It is also how a sure-win can become a draw, or an evenly played match can become a bitter defeat.
The free-flowing style that NC State has exhibited should be pleasing to the eye for long-time soccer followers, newer fans, and casual observers who just want to root for the Pack.
How that translates when ACC play begins is hard to discern at this point, but what is clear is that NC State essentially has no expectations to meet outside of its own because the coaches in the league picked the Wolfpack to finish last in the Atlantic Division.
The NC State goals were scored by Scotty Taylor (a grad transfer from Duke), Luke Hille (an NCFC Academy player from Cary, NC), and Junior Nare (a South African transfer from LaSalle who from the stands somewhat physically resembles former Real Madrid and Dutch wing/defensive back Royston Drenthe).
A player I really liked in NC State's win Friday was Ervin Cruz, a freshman from Knightdale. He made some marauding runs into Radford's back half of the pitch and created lots of chaos. Again, how his skill translates once the Wolfpack reaches ACC play is hard to tell, but he is a bundle of positive energy and skill. I expect him, assuming he stays healthy, to have a fine opening season with the Wolfpack.
It is unclear whether there will be a significant improvement from Kiefer's squad in 2023, but there do seem to be pieces that, if given time, can gel into something of consequence -- either/or this season and beyond.
Twitter: @RobMcLamb