It wasn’t a win, but for NC State, it might as well have been the turning point. After five straight losses and a coaching change in the offseason, the Wolfpack showed real fight, grinding out a scoreless draw against unbeaten Elon and signaling their rebuild under first-year head coach Gary Higgins.
Facing an Elon squad that had opened the season with four wins and a draw, and hadn’t given up a goal in five games, NC State showed up at Rudd Field with something to prove. Though the scoreboard remained the same throughout, the story was anything but that.
The Wolfpack dominated possession, dictated tempo and tested Elon’s back line through and through. NC State outshot Elon 20-6 and controlled 58% of the ball throughout the 90-minute game time.
For a team that had struggled to create quality chances earlier in the season, Thursday’s performance marked a visible shift in identity. Under Higgins, the Pack pressed higher, built more fluid attacks from the midfield and displayed the kind of composure that had been missing in previous games. Though the goals didn’t come, the message was clear. NC State is no longer content to be chasing games. It’s here to dictate them.
Meanwhile, Elon showed why it’s one of the toughest defensive units in the region. Anchored by goalkeeper Katie Bisgrove and a well-organized defensive line, the Phoenix absorbed wave after wave of pressure. While the match extended their unbeaten streak of six games, it also marked the first time they had failed to win at home this season, and the first time they had avoided defeat against State in the history of matchups.
The all-time series now sits at 16-0-1 in favor of the Wolfpack, but Elon’s effort hinted at a closing gap between the two teams.
Higgins, who took over after former coach Tim Santoro was let go following a disappointing 2024 season, has emphasized player development and team cohesion since his arrival. While the results haven’t yet swayed in favor of NC State, performances like this suggest that the foundation is finally being set. The draw snaps a five-game losing streak and gives the team something to look forward to, heading into the heart of its schedule.
For Elon, the draw is a mixed result. The Phoenix’s defensive unit, which had been nearly impenetrable, was put under real pressure for the first time in weeks. Goalkeeper Katie Bisgrove and her back line held firm, but were forced to defend for large stretches of the match, especially late in the second half. While the result extended Elon’s unbeaten start to the season, it also exposed some vulnerabilities that future opponents may try to exploit.
Despite the goalless outcome, the match carried implications for both teams. NC State, while still winless, will likely view this performance as a turning point — a match that showed its capacity to compete with quality sides and execute a game plan effectively. Elon, though still undefeated, may come away recognizing the need to adapt its approach when faced with sustained pressure from teams that focus on pressure-oriented situations.
As the season continues, both teams will draw lessons from this contest. For NC State, it’s a foundation to build on. For Elon, it’s a reminder that even the best runs eventually meet resistance.
NC State will take on Campbell on Sunday, Sept. 7, with a 7 p.m. kickoff, hoping to be on the high side of the scoreboard.