NC State holds off St. Louis to advance to first-ever College Cup final
🙌 NC State defeats St. Louis 2-1 to advance to title match
It was a tale of two halves for this clash between NC State and St. Louis. The first 45 minutes were fairly uneventful with the Wolfpack outpacing the Billikens in pretty much every metric.
The second half, however, was full of excitement. Goalkeeper Jeremi Abonnel held down the fort all night long for St. Louis. He blocked the only shot on goal that NC State got off in the first half then turned it up a notch in the second half. In one possession he saved three good looks from the Wolfpack to keep them off the board despite them continuing to apply the pressure.
Just under 30 minutes into the second half, NC State was awarded a penalty kick. Drew Lovelace stepped up to take the shot, but Abonnel got his hands on it and was able to fend off the Wolfpack for just a little bit longer.
However, in a span of four minutes between the 68th-72nd, Donavan Phillip and Taig Healy each connected on a header that were out of Abonnel's reach to go up 2-0.
Quentin Blair gave St. Louis a little glimpse of hope, successfully scoring off a penalty kick to cut the deficit to just one with 10 to play. The goal did spark something in the Bills as they got a few more chances, but Logan Erb held his own in goal for the Wolfpack, and they will meet Washington in the championship match on Monday.
Taig Healy with the GOOOOAAAAAAL ‼️
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer)
📺 ESPNU x
One thing about Donavan Phillip??
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer)
He scores goals. 🙂↕️
📺 ESPNU x
🥅 St. Louis cuts the lead to 2-1 with a huge PK
Quinten Blair with ice in his veins 🥶 SLU has a lifeline! x 🎥 ESPNU /
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer)
🦴 NC State go up 2-0 off another header
TAIG HEALY IS MEAN WITH THE FINISH 🙂↕️ Pack attack in full force! x 🎥 ESPNU /
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer)
🐺 Wolfpack finally get it through
THAT MAN DONOVAN PHILLIPS PUTS THE TEAM ON HIS BACK WITH AN ELITE HEADER! WOLFPACK FINDS THE LEAD 💥 x 🎥 ESPNU /
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer)
🧱 PK is NO GOOD
JEREMI ABONNEL IS FEELING HIMSELF TONIGHT 🤯 A HUGE PENALTY STOP! x 🎥 ESPNU /
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer)
🤯 Jeremi Abonnel have yourself a day
Take a bow, Jeremi Abonnel 😱 BIG hand down low to make a huge stop for the Billikens! x 🎥 ESPNU /
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer)
½ Halftime stats
🚫 Still 0-0 under 15 minutes to play in the half
NC State forces a save at the near post! 🫨 x 🎥 ESPNU /
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer)
🎬 Ready, set, action
Washington has already punched its ticket to the College Cup final and now NC State and St. Louis will battle to see who will challenge the Huskies in Monday's title game. For St. Louis it would be a return to its former glory as the Billikens have not been back to final since 1974 while this would be NC State's first appearance in the final. We'll be here keeping you updated live from First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.
Ready to Compete in Billiken Blue!
— SLU Men's Soccer (@SLUMensSoccer)
Time to seize the moment
— NC State Men's Soccer (@PackMensSoccer)
🚗 Road to the Men's College Cup semifinals
No. 15 NC State vs. Saint Louis. Two programs that head into their first Men’s College Cup in the 21st century. The matchup marks the fifth overall meeting between the Wolfpack and the Billikens — the first since 2007.
Here's a breakdown on how they made it to Cary.
No. 15 NC State (15-2-4)
It’s been a historic season for NC State so far, reaching the Men’s College Cup for the first time in 35 years and the second time in program history.
Losing in the second round of the ACC tournament to Syracuse for just their second loss of the season, days before the NCAA tournament, the Wolfpack responded with authority. They beat both Marshall and UNC Greensboro, 2-0, in the second and third rounds after receiving a first round bye, and outlasted No. 7 Georgetown, 3-2, in the quarterfinals.
The matchup against the Hoyas quickly turned into a high-scoring affair with all five goals coming in the first 37 minutes of the match — and three in the span of three minutes. The tide slowed from there, though, as neither team found the back of the net for the rest of the contest.
The victory marked the 15th of the season for NC State, the most in a single season since 1990, when the program last reached the national semifinals.
A win on Friday would send the Wolfpack to their first Men’s College Cup final.
Anytime you call on Drew Lovelace you know he's going to answer 📲
— NC State Men's Soccer (@PackMensSoccer)
8' | (15) NC STATE 2, Georgetown 0
Saint Louis (13-2-8)
The Billikens put together a noteworthy route to Cary, fighting its way to their 17th College Cup appearance and first since 1997.
So why was their postseason journey remarkable? None of their four wins were more than one goal.
Saint Louis beat Kentucky in the first round, 2-1, shocked No. 6 Indiana, 1-0, and defeated No. 11 Bryant in a penalty kick shootout. Tied 2-2 after regulation, both teams went scoreless in the two overtimes, leading to the shootout. Goalkeeper Jeremi Abonnel made the match-winning save to propel the Billikens to the quarterfinals.
They went on to beat No. 14 Akron, 3-2, climbing back from a two-goal deficit in the first half and scoring three unanswered, upping their unbeaten streak to 14 games.
A semifinals win against NC State would send Saint Louis to the finals for the first time since 1974.
📺 How to watch No. 15 NC State vs. Saint Louis
🗓️ Date: Friday, Dec. 12
⏰ Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
📺 TV and streaming: ESPNU and
📍 Location: First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina
📊 Follow: Live scores and stats
We will be live blogging the game here on krikya18.com.