After a 2-1 loss to No. 3 UNC Saturday, the No. 23 men’s soccer team returned home to take on Campbell University. The team bounced back and crushed Campbell, 5-1, off a four-goal second half.
The lone goal of the first half came from redshirt senior forward Ronnie Bouemboue, assisted by senior midfielder Chrystel Bakong.
Bouemboue said the team could ill afford another slow start.
“We can’t do that against better teams,” Bouemboue said. “We have to come out of the gates from the get-go and pick it up right away. Any other team is going to give us a little trouble during the season. We’ll take the win, however we definitely need to play a little better.”
Coach George Tarantini echoed Bouemboue’s words.
“Soccer is a game of momentum,” Tarantini said. “You have to start strong, but you have to finish stronger. And I think [tonight] we did that. I’m really excited about that.”
State would return in the second half with a surge of momentum and netted four goals, only allowing one to the Camels.
Redshirt sophomore midfielder Kris Byrd led the way by scoring the Pack’s second goal during the 48th minute.
Campbell cut the lead by one at the 58th minute, when freshman midfielder Jackson Ferrell scored off a long cross into the box.
The Pack didn’t go out quietly and would score three more goals to end the night. Bouemboue scored his second goal of the night in the 76th minute. A few minutes later, State netted another courtesy of senior midfielder Alan Sanchez, who notched his second goal of the season.
To cap off the night, freshman midfielder Michael Smith scored his first goal as a member of the Pack.
Sanchez said it was important for the team to get a win, as it faces defending national champion Maryland Saturday night.
Through scoring his second goal of the season, Sanchez said he wanted to be an example for his younger teammates.
“I’m just trying to leave a good example in my last year for the [younger] guys,” Sanchez said. “I have to do the best I can.”
As for Smith scoring his first goal, Bouemboue expressed his excitement.
“It’s always good for young guys to get their experience,” Bouemboue said. “In games like this, we are going to try to let the younger guys shine. Michael Smith was the guy today. Hopefully down the line he can help this team out a lot.”
Tarantini said it was important for him and his staff to get inexperienced players some game time in the rout.
“We have a good group of young kids who are the future,” Tarantini said. “Michael Smith scored his first goal, that’s huge for him. He’s a local guy, we keep building towards the future.”
The Wolfpack, which carries a 4-1 record, has now won its last nine games against the Camels, including a record of 13-1-2 in games played in Raleigh.
The team will now play two games against ACC opponents. The Pack will face Maryland on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Virginia Tech Sunday, Sept. 27.
