CARY, N.C. — #15 NC State withstood a tense finish to defeat Saint Louis 2-1 on Friday night at WakeMed Soccer Park, advancing to the College Cup championship match for the first time since 2019. The Wolfpack will face Washington on Sunday at 7 p.m. EST with the national title on the line.
Playing before 10,945 fans in the second semifinal, NC State dominated possession and chances throughout but needed late defensive resolve after Quinten Blair's penalty kick in the 80th minute cut the deficit to one and sparked a frantic final 10 minutes.
The opening half unfolded as a tactical battle between two organized sides, with NC State controlling the tempo but unable to convert their territorial advantage. The Wolfpack peppered Saint Louis goalkeeper Jeremi Abonnel with six first-half shots, but the Billikens' defensive shape remained compact and disciplined. Taig Healy tested Abonnel twice in the opening six minutes, while Donavan Phillip forced a diving save in the 20th minute with a low effort toward the bottom left corner.
Saint Louis managed just one shot attempt before halftime, content to absorb pressure and look for counterattacking opportunities. The deadlock persisted through the break despite NC State earning four corners and maintaining consistent pressure in the attacking third.
The Wolfpack emerged with renewed urgency after intermission, immediately forcing another save from Abonnel. In the 53rd minute, NC State nearly broke through when Frankie DeFrancesco's shot was saved before Ibrahim Conde's follow-up flew just over the crossbar. The sustained pressure was relentless—Abonnel made three saves in quick succession during one second-half sequence to keep his team level.
NC State finally capitalized in the 69th minute when Phillip rose to meet a service into the box, powering his header past Abonnel. The goal came from a well-worked buildup involving Isaac Heffess and Calem Tommy, who combined to create the opening. The breakthrough unleashed the Wolfpack, who had been knocking on the door for most of the match.
Just three minutes later, NC State doubled their advantage through Healy. Riley Moloney delivered a dangerous ball into the area, and Healy timed his run perfectly to connect with another header that left Abonnel helpless. At 2-0 with 18 minutes remaining, the match appeared decided.
But Saint Louis refused to surrender. The Billikens earned a penalty kick in the 80th minute after a challenge in the box, and Blair stepped up to convert confidently, pulling one back and injecting drama into the final stretch. The goal energized Saint Louis, who pressed forward desperately searching for an equalizer.
The closing minutes became end-to-end as Saint Louis threw numbers forward. Drake Fournier created a dangerous chance in the 83rd minute, while Jack DiMaria forced NC State goalkeeper Logan Erb into a save in the 84th minute. The Billikens earned their final corner in the 89th minute as they pushed for a late leveler, but NC State's defense held firm through four minutes of stoppage time.
The statistics reflected NC State's dominance. The Wolfpack outshot Saint Louis 20-5 overall and 8-3 on target, while earning a 10-3 advantage in corner kicks. Abonnel finished with six saves, several of them spectacular, keeping Saint Louis within striking distance until the late penalty conversion. Erb needed just two saves but made them when necessary, preserving the victory.
Phillip and Healy led NC State's attacking efforts, both finding the net with clinical headers during the crucial second-half stretch. Justin Mclean and Drew Lovelace created chances from wide areas, while Nikola Markovic anchored the midfield despite accumulating four fouls. For Saint Louis, Abonnel's heroics between the posts kept the scoreline respectable, while Blair's penalty conversion provided a fleeting hope of a comeback.
The victory extends NC State's winning streak to four matches and keeps alive their pursuit of a second national championship. The Wolfpack last won the College Cup in 2019 and will now face a Washington side making its first-ever championship appearance.
Saint Louis's season ends in the semifinals despite a determined second-half showing. The Billikens created little offensively for most of the match but showed character in refusing to concede quietly after falling behind 2-0.
Key Players:
- Donavan Phillip (NC State) – Broke the deadlock with a powerful header and was a constant aerial threat throughout the match.
- Taig Healy (NC State) – Provided the insurance goal with another well-placed header and tested the Saint Louis defense from the opening whistle.
- Jeremi Abonnel (Saint Louis) – Made six saves, including several remarkable stops, to keep his team within reach despite facing 20 shots.
- Quinten Blair (Saint Louis) – Converted the penalty with composure to give the Billikens hope in the final 10 minutes.