PORTLAND, Ore. --- After a scoreless first half, the No. 23 NC State Wolfpack found the back of the net in the 51st minute before holding on for a 1-0 win over the Portland Pilots on Sunday evening at Merlo Field.
 
The goal was scored by Tziarra King after she gained possession near the left touch line. The forward then dribbled across the field, made her way into the 18, and finished into the left corner of the net to hand the visitors the lead.
 
The Pilots spent the rest of the half searching for the equalizer, and Kaycie Young nearly found it in the 84th minute. The junior controlled a ball sent in from the right, and drilled a shot towards the upper right corner of the frame. But the attempt was just wide.
 
Portland freshman Ellie Winkelmann nearly gave the home side the lead 51 seconds into the second half when she hit one from the top of the box. But NC State goalkeeper Sydney Wootten made the save to keep the game scoreless.
 
Portland defended well in the first half to keep the NC State offense contained, and Hannah Griffiths Boston sent a shot high in the 29th minute as the two teams entered the locker room at the break scoreless.
 
The win allows NC State (2-0-0) to remain perfect on the year, while the Pilots drop to 1-1-0.
 
Next up for the Pilots is their first road trip of 2017 when they head to California next weekend, first facing UC Davis in Davis at 4 p.m. on Friday. Monday night brings a trip south to Irvine for a match-up with the UC Irvine Anteaters, which is slated to begin at 7 p.m.