Box Score RALEIGH, NC - - Behind a second half tally from senior midfielder Pedro Miranda (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Belmont University men's soccer defeated NC State, 1-0, Tuesday evening.
The host Wolfpack (7-6), a respected ACC program with 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, could never get into a rhythm at Dail Soccer Field. Belmont's game of possession proved vexing, and ultimately problematic.
After a feeling out period early, dangerous chances from senior Austin Embry (Southlake, Texas) and junior Nico Olsak (Boca Raton, Fla.) just sailed high.
Senior keeper Lou Manning (Southlake, Texas) kept a clean sheet, denying Nazmi Albadawi in the 28th minute.
Scoreless after 45 minutes, the Wolfpack outshot the Bruins 5-3.
Following an exchange of yellow cards in an increasingly physical affair, senior Brandon Tarr (Knoxville, Tenn.) got a scoring chance in the 68th minute before the Wolfpack made a team save.
However, the Bruins maintained the pressure, and mere moments later, Miranda scored off a well-timed cross from Tarr to give Belmont a 1-0 lead. It was Miranda's third goal of the season.
Playing the final 20 minutes behind the ball and understandably protecting its lead, Belmont stood strong as NC State mounted a final attack. The Bruins withstood seven chances in the final 17 minutes, with Manning's 89th minute save on Zaberle Kollie keeping NC State off the board.
When the final horn sounded, Belmont had completed a resounding road victory. The Bruins improved to 1-1 lifetime against the Atlantic Coast Conference. It also linked an impressive 1-0 victory over preseason Top 25 Bradley on Sept. 16.
The Bruins (5-7-1) will return home this Saturday to face Longwood. Game time is set for 4:30 p.m. CT from E.S. Rose Park. Prior to the match, Belmont will honor its senior class.
Live stats will be provided via belmontbruins.com.
