Box Score DURHAM, N.C. – Sophomore David Opoku's goal in the 16th minute propelled eighth-ranked UC Santa Barbara to a 1-0 win over North Carolina State on Sunday at the Duke/Nike Classic, which was hosted at Duke's Koskinen Stadium.
After going 2-0 at the Duke/Nike Classic, UCSB captured the tournament title and Opoku and Peter Schmetz were named the Offensive and Defensive MVPs, respectively. Additionally, goalkeeper André Grandt and midfielder Fifi Baiden were named to the All-Tournament Team.
The gamewinner was scored when senior Tim Pontius sent a long ball from midfield to Opoku, who one-timed the volley into the back of the Wolfpack goal to give the Gauchos an early 1-0 advantage.
The goal was Opoku's third of the season and the first that NC State has given up this season.
The previously undefeated Wolfpack fell to 2-1-1 on the season while the Gauchos improve to 3-0.
UCSB out-shot the Wolfpack 17-11 in the win with a 4-1 advantage in shots on-goal. Grandt had to make just one save to secure his first shutout of the season.
Luis Silva led the Gauchos with five shots, including one on-frame. Dom Sarle and Sam Garza each had three.
The Gauchos return home this coming weekend to host a pair of Big East schools: West Virginia and Villanova. UCSB will play West Virginia on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. and Villanova on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. Both games will be held at Meredith Field at Harder Stadium.
To ensure you don't miss a minute of the 2011 soccer season, purchase your season tickets now by calling (805) 893-UCSB, visiting the Ticket Office in the Intercollegiate Athletics Building on campus or by clicking here.
