Washington Secures First NCAA Men’s Soccer Title with Overtime Thriller
The Washington Huskies clinched their first NCAA Men’s Soccer title on March 18, 2024, by defeating North Carolina State Wolfpack 3-2 in an exhilarating final at First Horizon Stadium in Cary, North Carolina. The victory came in dramatic fashion, with Harrison Bertos scoring just 1 minute and 54 seconds into overtime, despite Washington having lost a two-goal lead in the second half.
This win marks a significant milestone for the unseeded Huskies (16-6-2), who became the first team in the tournament’s history to win six consecutive road matches, defeating all seeded opponents along the way. Under the leadership of head coach Jamie Clark, Washington made a remarkable turnaround after finishing as runners-up in 2021, when they lost to Clemson 2-0.
In a match that showcased the resilience and fighting spirit of both teams, North Carolina State (16-3-4) reached the finals for the first time, led by coach Marc Hubbard. The Wolfpack were hoping to secure the university’s first national championship since their men’s basketball team triumphed in 1983 under the legendary Jim Valvano.
The game began with a significant moment when Zach Ramsey put Washington on the board just before halftime, scoring unassisted with 1:12 remaining in the first half. This goal marked only the second time during the season that N.C. State trailed at halftime. Ramsey capitalized on a mishap by Wolfpack goalkeeper Logan Erb, who failed to control the ball at the top of the box.
Washington doubled their lead in the 62nd minute when Richie Aman delivered a precise cross to Joe Dale, who found the back of the net. At this point, the Huskies appeared in control with a 2-0 advantage. However, N.C. State responded quickly. Donavan Phillip scored in the 66th minute, assisted by Nikola Markovic, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Phillip’s goal was his fourth of the tournament, and the Wolfpack had entered the match with an impressive record of 11-0-1 when he scored.
With just over three minutes remaining, Taig Healy equalized for N.C. State, thanks to assists from Justin Mclean and Calem Tommy. The match intensified as both teams fought for supremacy, leading to a thrilling overtime period.
The decisive moment arrived when Bertos scored the winning goal, assisted by Egor Akulov, securing the championship for Washington. In goal, Huskies keeper Jadon Bowton made five saves, standing out as the only remaining player from the 2021 squad, while Erb recorded six saves for N.C. State, which was the last team to concede a goal this season.
The match commenced under challenging conditions, with temperatures dipping to 28 degrees Fahrenheit. The victory for Washington not only represents a historic achievement for the program but also highlights the competitive spirit and talent present in college soccer, leaving fans eager for what the future holds.
