NC State Advances to First College Cup

NC State Advances to First College Cup
by Victor Olorunfemi
December 12, 2025

NC State made history on Friday night, defeating Saint Louis 2-1 to advance to the first College Cup final in program history. The stars showed up in the biggest game of the season as Donavan Phillip scored his nation-leading 18th goal,  followed by a header from Taig Healy.

The first half was cautious, with frequent stoppages and limited action. It revealed each team’s strategy: NC State played aggressively, leading both the shot count (8-0) and fouls (10-1), while Saint Louis disrupted play to create set-piece opportunities.

This defensive approach eventually faltered 16 minutes into the second half when NC State earned a penalty after a handball. However, Jeremi Abonnel made a crucial penalty save, maintaining the 0-0 scoreline.

Despite the save, NC State maintained momentum and broke through in the 69th minute when Isaac Heffess delivered a cross that was met by a towering Phillip header.

And before the Billikens could counter strike, the ACC side found a second, this time as freshman fullback Riley Moloney dribbled past his defender, then delivered a pinpoint cross that Healy headed home in the 73rd minute. The Billikens reacted well to earn a penalty of their own in the 81st, which was converted by Quinten Blair. But it was ultimately too late as NC State, statistically the country’s best defense, held on for a 2-1 win.

NC State will face Washington in the final on Monday evening, with the winner claiming the program’s first College Cup trophy.

Related Topics: Atlantic 10, Atlantic Coast
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