WASHINGTON, D.C. — #15 NC State pulled off a stunning upset over #7 Georgetown on Saturday, rallying from a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 in front of 2,107 fans at Shaw Field. The Wolfpack's comeback showcased their resilience and attacking prowess, extending their winning streak to three matches while handing the Hoyas their first loss in their last three outings.
Georgetown dominated the opening half, racing to a 2-0 lead through two quick strikes. The hosts struck in the 5th minute when Taig Healy found the back of the net with an assist from Isaac Heffess and Donavan Phillip. Drew Lovelace doubled the advantage just two minutes later in the 7th minute, leaving NC State with an uphill climb heading into the break.
The Wolfpack refused to fold despite the early onslaught. Loukas Maroutsis extended Georgetown's lead to 3-0 in the 34th minute with help from David Urrutia and Matthew Helfrich, seemingly putting the match out of reach. But NC State's offense found its rhythm when it mattered most. Carlos Santamaria pulled one back in the 36th minute, and Tate Lampman's goal for Georgetown in the same minute—assisted by Zach Zengue—set the stage for a frantic second half at 3-2.
The first half saw Georgetown control possession and create chances, with both teams combining for 14 shot attempts. NC State's defense struggled early, but the visitors gradually settled into the match as the half progressed. Isaac Heffess and Nikola Markovic picked up yellow cards for the Wolfpack, while Georgetown's Zach Zengue was cautioned for a foul.
Georgetown made wholesale changes at halftime, bringing in fresh legs across the backline and midfield. NC State countered with their own adjustments, introducing new personnel to inject energy into their comeback bid. The second half became a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading chances and intensity ramping up considerably.
NC State's attacking pressure mounted as the match wore on. Ibrahim Conde tested Georgetown's defense repeatedly with several attempts, while the Wolfpack's midfield began controlling the tempo. Mitchell Baker picked up a yellow card for the Hoyas in the 56th minute as frustration grew. The visitors' persistence paid dividends, though the play-by-play data shows the final scoreline remained 3-2 in NC State's favor through the closing stages.
The Wolfpack finished with seven shots on goal compared to Georgetown's seven, though NC State's clinical finishing proved the difference. NC State accumulated five yellow cards to Georgetown's two, reflecting the physical nature of the contest. Both goalkeepers made four saves apiece in a match that featured end-to-end action throughout.
This victory demonstrates NC State's championship mettle—the ability to overcome a two-goal deficit against a ranked opponent on the road. Rallying from 3-1 down to stun Georgetown showcases exactly the kind of resilience required for deep tournament runs. The Wolfpack now advance to the College Cup semifinals in Cary, North Carolina, where they'll face Saint Louis on Friday, December 12. Both teams arrive battle-tested after dramatic comebacks in the quarterfinals, setting up what promises to be an intense semifinal clash. NC State's attacking depth and ability to finish under extreme pressure proved decisive, and those same qualities will be crucial as they chase their first national championship since 1986.