The men’s soccer team did not look like the team picked to finish last in the ACC this season, as N.C. State tied No. 1 UCLA 2-2 Aug. 25 in a crowded Method Road Soccer Stadium.

The exhibition consisted of three 30-minute periods with no overtime.

According to senior midfielder El Hadj Cisse, playing competitively against such a highly-ranked team helped raise some expectations for this season’s success.

“That gives us confidence for our first game on Friday,” Cisse said. “We have a lot of freshmen in our lineup and we have to get them confident for NCAA and ACC games. It’s an exhibition game, but we know what to expect going into the season.”

The Bruins jumped out to an early lead, scoring at the 10:32 mark in the first period. Sophomore Alan Sanchez had a chance to tie the game with a penalty kick in the first period, but was shut out by UCLA goalie Brian Perk.

At the 27:44 mark, Sanchez redeemed his missed penalty, as he assisted Cisse for the Wolfpack’s first goal off a free-kick from 22 yards out.

The Bruins regained the lead in the second period, only to have the Pack answer right back with a goal from sophomore Ben Ward on an assist from junior midfielder Clint Pires.

The goal was particularly meaningful for Ward, who sat out nine months last year due to an injury he sustained in the last year’s season opener and later re-injured. Ward was unable to redshirt last season.

“Last year, I couldn’t really play because of my injury, so it felt really good to help the team tie,” Ward said. “I sat out for about nine months and if feels great to be back and to help the team.”

Though the Pack shut out the Bruins in the final 30-minute period for the tie, freshman defender Tyler Lassiter said the defense still has areas to improve.

“Organization was good this game, but it could get a little better,” Lassiter said. “The defense is good, but when there are crosses coming in, there are players that are getting pinned behind their back. We just have to work at it.”

Cisse said the Pack can’t think too much of an exhibition win over UCLA, despite its rank, and that the team must continue working hard to improve.

“We just have to keep working hard,” Cisse said. “Last week, we just kept working; we never took a break working on the system. What we showed here today was great — we just have to keep working on it.”

The student body and fans didn’t let the heat stop them from supporting the Pack, as many students gathered in the shade and others filled the stands to cheer the exhibition tie.

“I could say that it was Facebook,” Cisse said. “We have a men’s soccer group on there and it worked out that a lot of people were here.”