NC State
2-9-2, 0-5-0
Louisville
5-5-2, 2-1-2
NC State Edged on the Road at Louisville, 1-0
10/9/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The NC State women’s soccer team endured a close 1-0 loss on the road Thursday night, falling at Atlantic Coast Conference newcomer Louisville.
The Wolfpack (2-9-2, 0-5-0 ACC) defended well throughout the course of the match but was defeated on the Cardinals’ best chance, a snap header in the 69th minute by Chinyelu Lou Asher.
“I think the team played hard and played with a lot of effort,” said head coach Tim Santoro. “Considering what we have out there and how light we are (due to injuries), this was a much better performance than our last match.
“We’re just struggling with our depth right now. We are getting deep into the roster and it is showing.”
Injuries continued to be a factor, as Santoro’s side played without its 2013 leading scorer for the 10th consecutive game and is still playing matches without a significant portion of its starting defense.
NC State and Louisville (5-5-2, 2-1-2 ACC) played a scoreless first half, with the Cardinals gaining a narrow advantage in shots. Mackenzie Stelljes was solid in goal, making two important saves to keep the match on level footing heading into the halftime break. The redshirt sophomore goalkeeper would end the match with four stops. 
NC State’s defense held strong until the Cardinals were able to break through in the 69th minute. Iasbella Habuda beat her defender down the right wing and whipped in a cross through the box. Teammate Lou Asher was in the right place at the right time and headed the cross inside the left post from six yards out to give her side a 1-0 advantage.
“Our defense was solid,” Santoro added. “Louisville had one good chance in the first half and one good chance in the second half before the goal, but for the most part we were able to limit things to attempts that weren’t too dangerous.”
State nearly fought its way back into the match in the closing moments, earning a corner kick and a very good scoring opportunity in the 83rd minute. German freshman Franziska Jaser found herself briefly alone in the Louisville penalty area and was able to record a hard shot just wide of the far post.
NC State will next be in action on Sunday, Oct. 12 at No. 4 Virginia. Kickoff between the Wolfpack and Cavaliers is scheduled for 2 p.m. from Charlottesville, Va.
#GoPack
Team Stats
ASHER, Chinyelu (1)
Assisted By: HABUDA, Isabella
off a cross into the left side of the ne
68:52
