Rebuilds are supposed to be painful, particularly for a new coach who theoretically needs years to reshape the team culture and multiple recruiting cycles to bring in players who fit his tactical vision. No one told Marc Hubbard that, just two years into his tenure, the former New Hampshire head coach has NC State playing in its first College Cup semi-final since 1990.

That follows a breathtaking debut season that ended in the Wolfpack’s first Sweet Sixteen appearance in 30 years. From all perspectives, Hubbard has done an incredible job. What also helps is the absurd talent the ACC program features, ranking among the most talented rosters in college soccer from top to bottom. Goalkeeper Logan Erb has the fifth-highest save percentage in the country, centerback Niko Markovic was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and striker Donavan Phillip was the conference Offensive POTY and is currently second in the country in goals.

It has all led to this point where NC State is on the verge of potentially winning its first championship in program history, a feat that would cement Hubbard as one of the best in college soccer history.

Ten Key Moments:

08/20/2025 - Fresh from finishing as the USL Two top scorer, Donavan Phillip is named among the preseason favorites for the TDS Player of the Year award.

08/24/2025 - Defeats Wofford 6-0 in the second match of the season. First sign of high powered offense.

09/16/2025 - Phillip delivers best individual performance of the season, scoring four in first 28 minutes to fuel 7-0 rout of William & Mary.

09/19/2025 - 2-0 victory over Boston College sees the team begin the season with eight consecutive clean sheets.

10/16/2025 - Donavan Phillip comes in at No. 1 in the TDS Midseason Player Rankings. Following Phillip are No. 16 Niko Markovic, No. 21 Logan Erb, No. 49 Tyler Caton, and No. 62 Taig Healy.

10/17/2025 - Riley Moloney breaks into the TDS Freshman Player Rankings at No. 7.

10/25/2025 - Defeats nationally ranked Duke 2-0 on the road despite finishing with nine players.

11/12/2025 - The ACC All-Conference recipients are recognized with Phillip receiving Offensive Player of the Year, Markovic recognized as the Defensive Player of the Year, and Erb as the Goalkeeper of the Year. Healy, Calem Tommy, and Moloney all make the All-Conference teams. 

11/23/2025 - Opens NCAA tournament with 2-0 victory over last season College Cup runner-up Marshall.

12/06/2025 - Defeats Georgetown 3-2 on the road to end 28-year College Cup drought.

Ten Key Statistics:

• NC State is playing in its first College Cup since 1990 and second overall.

• Leads the country with 15 shutouts and .35 Goals Against Average.

• Donavan Phillip is second in the country with 17 goals, just one behind first place.

• Five players have at least five assists. Taig Healy (8), Riley Moloney (8), Aidan Payne (5), Tyler Caton (6), and Calem Tommy (6).

• Undefeated 5-0-1 record on the road.

• Only two losses are to ACC opponents Virginia and Syracuse.

• Erb has more shutouts (15) than goals conceded (9).

• 13 players have scored a goal.

• Mostly consistent line-up with eight players starting at least 20 of 21 games.

• Georgetown is the only team to score against NC State through the tournament.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

MLS Announces College Showcase Rosters

Standouts From ECNL Boys South Carolina

IMG Academy Rankings Spotlight: 2026 Boys