#15 Seed NC State Defeats Marshall 2-0 in a Revenge Game, Advancing to the Sweet 16

#15 seed NC State defeated Marshall 2–0 this evening in Raleigh in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The victory was sweet revenge, knocking out the Thundering Herd, who eliminated the Wolfpack in last year’s Sweet 16.

With tonight’s win over Marshall, NC State is headed to the Sweet 16 for the second straight year and the sixth time in program history.

Junior Donavan Philip got the party started, scoring his 16th goal of the season on an assist from freshman Riley Moloney less than two minutes into the game (1:52).

Who better to get us started than Phillip?

Donavan Phillip's 16th goal of the season, assisted by Riley Moloney.

2' | (15) NC STATE 1, Marshall 0 #CarryTheCulture pic.twitter.com/z9qQGH1UNp

— NC State Men's Soccer (@PackMensSoccer) November 23, 2025

Moloney went on to score an unassisted goal of his own at the 58:07 mark, giving the Pack a 2–0 lead that held until time expired.

This freshman is FIRED UP in his first NCAA Tournament game. First an assist and now a (@SCTop10 worthy) goal for Riley Moloney.

59' | (15) NC STATE 2, Marshall 0 #CarryTheCulture pic.twitter.com/RgJ2s3rlrD

— NC State Men's Soccer (@PackMensSoccer) November 24, 2025

It was a dominant performance by NC State, holding the edge in shots (15–7), shots on goal (7–3), and corner kicks (4–2).

Senior goalkeeper Logan Erb recorded three saves on the night.

In an incredible turn of events, NC State will host UNC Greensboro in the Sweet 16 next Sunday at 6 p.m. The expectation was that the Wolfpack would face #2 seed UVA, but the Spartans upset the Cavaliers in penalty kicks.

Back on October 21, NC State and UNCG tied 1–1 in Raleigh.

The Wolfpack is now 13–2–4 on the season, winning 13 games for the first time since 2009.

What Marc Hubbard has built in his first two seasons in Raleigh is nothing short of exceptional.