Hokie ClubRALEIGH, N.C. – The Virginia Tech men’s soccer team lost to North Carolina State, 2-1 in overtime, in an Atlantic Coast Conference match at Dail Soccer Field tonight. Redshirt senior James Shupp scored for the Hokies in the 30th minute, but the Wolfpack rallied for the conference victory.
NC State took the first two shots of the match in the opening eight minutes, but sophomore goalkeeper Kyle Renfro made saves off efforts from Ollie Kelly and Simon Cox. Sophomore forward Mikey Minutillo recorded the Hokies’ first shot on frame at the 10:48 mark, but his strike was saved by NC State goalkeeper Fabian Otte.
The Hokies opened the scoring just under the half hour mark as Shupp finished off a pass from redshirt freshman midfielder Taylor Lemmon at 29:12. The goal was Shupp’s second of the season-both of which have come in ACC play-and the assist gave Lemmon his first career point as a Hokie.
However, the Wolfpack (6-6-2, 2-3-0 ACC) would equalize at 41:39 thanks to an own goal which occurred after a long throw-in. The game remained tied at the half as NC State held a 7-2 lead in shots at the break.
In the second half, NC State would force Renfro into four saves before Minutillo and freshman midfielder Ben Strong each had shots on goal for Tech (3-9-1, 1-4-0 ACC) in the last five minutes. However, neither attempt would find the back of the net and the Hokies were forced to play into extra time for the second straight game and sixth time overall this year. The Wolfpack outshot Tech, 7-5, in the second 45 minutes.
NC State took the only shot in overtime before the Wolfpack’s Nazmi Albadawi finished off a combination play in the box via assists from Zabarle Kollie and Nader Jaibat at 96:34 to give the home side the win.
For the match, NC State had 16 shots to seven for Tech, while corners were even at five apiece.
Renfro tallied six saves between the pipes for Tech, raising his league-leading total to 68 on the season. Minutillo posted a team-high shots for Tech, including two on frame. It was the 11th time in 13 games this season that Tech has played in a game that was decided by a one-goal advantage.
The Hokies return to action on Tuesday, Oct. 18 as they host their final non-conference opponent of the season, Wright State, at 7 p.m. Tech then hosts rival Virginia on Friday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. in ACC play.