NC State and Saint Louis Clash in Historic College Cup Semifinal
Table of Contents
Two programs seeking their first Men’s College Cup title in the 21st century will face off in a highly anticipated semifinal match. The contest between No. 15 NC State and Saint Louis marks the fifth overall meeting between the two programs, and the first since 2007.
Both the Wolfpack and the Billikens have overcome significant challenges to reach this stage, showcasing resilience and determination throughout their respective NCAA tournament runs. The semifinal, held in Cary, represents a pivotal moment for both universities and their storied soccer programs.
NC State’s Historic Run to the Semifinals
NC State (15-2-4) is enjoying a landmark season, reaching the Men’s College Cup for the first time in 35 years and only the second time in program history. Despite a setback in the ACC tournament, falling to Syracuse in the second round for just their second loss of the season, the Wolfpack responded emphatically.
They secured decisive 2-0 victories over both Marshall and UNC Greensboro in the second and third rounds of the NCAA tournament, benefiting from a first-round bye. The quarterfinal matchup against No. 7 Georgetown proved to be a thrilling, high-scoring affair. All five goals were scored within the first 37 minutes, with three coming in a frantic three-minute span. Ultimately, NC State prevailed 3-2.
This victory marked the 15th win of the season for the Wolfpack, the most in a single season since 1990, when the program last reached the national semifinals. A win on Friday would propel NC State to their first-ever Men’s College Cup final.
A social media post from NC State Men’s Soccer celebrated a key goalscorer during their quarterfinal win.
https://twitter.com/PackMensSoccer/status/369I45wr8f
Saint Louis’ Remarkable Postseason Journey
Saint Louis (13-2-8) has also embarked on a compelling journey to Cary, securing their 17th College Cup appearance and first since 1997. What distinguishes the Billikens’ postseason run is their ability to win close contests. Remarkably, all four of their tournament victories have been by a single goal.
The Billikens defeated Kentucky 2-1 in the first round and then delivered a stunning upset, defeating No. 6 Indiana 1-0. Their third-round match against No. 11 Bryant required a penalty kick shootout after a 2-2 draw through regulation and two scoreless overtime periods. Goalkeeper Jeremi Abonnel emerged as the hero, making the decisive save to secure Saint Louis’ place in the quarterfinals.
They continued their momentum by overcoming No. 14 Akron 3-2, staging a dramatic comeback from a two-goal deficit in the first half and scoring three unanswered goals. This victory extended their unbeaten streak to an impressive 14 games.
A win against NC State would send Saint Louis to the finals for the first time since 1974.
The intensity of Saint Louis’s third-round shootout against Bryant is captured in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=examplevideoid
The upcoming semifinal promises to be a captivating clash between two programs with a shared hunger for championship glory. Both NC State and Saint Louis have demonstrated the grit and determination necessary to succeed on the national stage, setting the stage for a memorable encounter in Cary.
