Alex Manuel
Junior forward Donovan Phillip celebrates his goal during the game against FAU in Dail Soccer Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. The Wolfpack defeated the Owls 2-0.
No. 5 NC State’s stifling defense kept Florida Atlantic University off the scoreboard in a 2-0 statement win.
“Feels good to win,” said head coach Marc Hubbard. “FAU is a really good team, returning their top three scorers from last year. Really dangerous in countering situations, we scouted and tried to prepare for that”.
The Wolfpack (5-0-1) entered the day as one of six Division I teams yet to concede a goal this season, along with Akron, Louisville, Portland, Utah Valley and CSUN. It faced a high-powered Owls (4-1-1) attack, which had scored in four of five games.
Hubbard’s squad didn’t allow a shot on target in the first half, but the home crowd had early worries. In the sixth minute, the Pack lost the ball while trying to play through the Owls press, resulting in an Owl player picking the ball up in a dangerous position, dribbling to the byline and sending in a dangerous cross. Wolfpack defenders blocked it, but FAU players immediately surrounded the referee, claiming a handball. After checking the on-field monitor, the referee ruled no penalty, and the crowd let out a sigh of relief.
The Pack managed three first half shots on goal but none managed to truly test the Owls’ goalkeeper.
In the 30th minute, an FAU player dribbled through the Pack midfield. A Wolfpack defender challenged but caught the FAU attacker, who went down. The ref immediately ruled for a penalty, and the Wolfpack’s clean sheet record looked to be in trouble. However the crowd could breathe a second sigh of relief when the on-field review ruled the FAU player dove.
NC State started the second half on the front foot, winning an early corner. Junior midfielder Tyler Caton delivered a dangerous inswinger and sophomore center-back Nikola Markovic rose and got his head to the cross. His header found the back of the net, and the Pack finally had their lead.
On the other end, FAU managed just one shot on target in the second half. In the 63rd minute, a quick counterattack produced a low cross that slipped past the first NC State defender. The ball reached senior forward Aboubacar Traore, who fired a low, driven shot. Senior goalkeeper Logan Erb dove and made a phenomenal save, but he couldn’t clear the danger. Graduate forward Mamadou Diarra beat the Pack defenders to the rebound but leaned back and fired over the bar.
Markovic, who wore the captain’s armband for the first time this season, added an assist in the 76th minute. Senior midfielder Taig Healy chased down an overhit cross and lobbed it back into a dangerous area. Markovic connected with a header, and junior forward Donavan Phillip followed with a tap-in for his sixth goal of the season.
The Pack’s dominant defense recorded its sixth consecutive clean sheet to start the season.
“We’ve been talking about it for a while,” Markovic said. “We want to be the last team to concede this year, and we’re working toward that. Looks like we’re on the right track.”
NC State returns to action Tuesday, hosting William & Mary at 6 p.m.