RALEIGH, N.C. ? The Georgia State Panthers dropped a 1-3 decision to the Wolfpack of N.C. State, after junior midfielder Jessica O'Rourke recorded a hat trick in the contest, scoring three goals on the Panthers.
“We created a lot of good chances in the game and really played well, but weren't able to finish those opportunities,” said Georgia State head coach Domenic Martelli. “N.C. State played well and O'Rourke had a great goal in the first half. We had a chance with a minute left, but really couldn't push the ball far enough, quick enough, and the they turned it around on us. It was a tough loss to a good team, but we have to rebound on Sunday against East Carolina.”
Georgia State (2-2-1) went down early when O'Rourke headed the ball over Panther goalkeeper Charlotte Vargo in the 14th minute off an assist from Katie Ruiz.
The Panthers fought to keep the game close throughout the first half, despite being outshot by the Wolfpack (4-1-0), who are ranked 15th in the Southeast by Soccerbuzz.com, 13 to six.
The Panthers attack started to develop better in the second half, but the team could not close opportunities. Sophomore forward Kay Harbrueger broke free 15 minutes into the stanza for a shot, but was denied by N.C. State goalkeeper Megan Connors. Georgia State failed to turn a second opportunity into a mark when a rebound rolled in front off the N.C. State goal with 15 minutes remaining, but was cleared before a Panther could get a foot on the ball.
The Wolfpack regained momentum when O'Rourke pushed the led to two unassisted in the 77th minute, kicking the ball past Panther goalkeeper Megan Macdonald, who replaced Vargo at the half, as she has the previous two games.
The Panthers would make a late push when junior forward Nathalie Carter flicked the ball past Connors in the 89th minute, breaking her streak of four consecutive shut outs.
The mark was Carter's second of the year.
But, O'Rourke would strike once more with four seconds remaining to give N.C. State a two-goal margin of victory.
Georgia State took 13 shots in the contest, while N.C. State recorded 23, and 13 shots on goal. The Panthers recorded 10 saves in the match ? six for Vargo and four to Macdonald.
Carter led the Panthers with three shots in the match, with two on goal. Harbrueger recorded two shots and eight Panthers each shot once.
Georgia State next hits the pitch against the 14th ranked team in the region on Soccerbuzz.com, the East Carolina Pirates (3-2-0) of Conference USA, on Sunday, Sept. 10, at noon.
Box Score
