DURHAM, N.C. — No. 3 NC State men’s soccer entered Koskinen Stadium looking to rain on No. 19 Duke’s senior-night parade and delivered a 2-0 victory, dealing the Blue Devils their first home loss.
Two games ago, the Wolfpack (11-1-3, 4-1-2 ACC) earned its first road victory against Notre Dame. Head coach Marc Hubbard marked further progress tonight, overcoming a hurdle most coaches fail to clear by earning his first win against Duke (7-2-6, 3-2-2 ACC) and the program’s first win in Durham since 2009, as well as the first win in the series since 2019.
“It’s a lot of firsts,” said Hubbard. “It’s a big deal.”
The Wolfpack took the field guns ablazing and quickly jumped onto the scoreboard. Just five minutes into the match, freshman defender Riley Moloney executed a corner kick to senior midfielder Justin McLean, who nailed a header into the back of the goal, putting NC State up 1-0. Despite playing without the country’s leading scorer, junior forward Donovan Philips, the Pack’s offense didn’t skip a beat.
SET PIECE KINGS
Corner-kick service from Riley Moloney to find Justin McLean.
6′ | #3 NC STATE 1, Duke 0#CarryTheCulture pic.twitter.com/TrucpwcvLT
— NC State Men’s Soccer (@PackMensSoccer) October 25, 2025
While NC State’s offense stole the show early, it was the defense that shouldered the load throughout the evening. Although the team fouled Duke early and often, it only gave the Blue Devils four shots on goal prior to its first red card.
Both sides set the tone early with a physical style of play. The Wolfpack didn’t earn just one red card, but two, on top of eight yellow cards. In spite of the officiating, the team was disciplined with the ball and stalwart in its own half.
“It’s a mental thing, we talk about it every day,” Hubbard said.
In the rare defensive collapses, senior goalkeeper Logan Erb was ready to step up. Erb posted a clean sheet — his 12th of the season — while making four saves throughout the evening.
“It starts back in August,” Erb said. “You get 31 guys, more than half of them are new and you tell them what the dream is and you tell them everyday we gotta work for it, that’s all that goes into it.”
Just as importantly, NC State’s defenders played a fantastic game. Despite Duke’s best efforts, the Wolfpack cleared numerous offensive incursions, keeping the ball away from the goal and setting up Erb for success.
“They are not only my best friends, but they are some unbelievable players,” Erb said. “I think the world of them and I will preach their name everywhere I go. I cannot thank them enough.”
Duke’s backline played farther up in the second half, creating plenty of one-on-one opportunities with a wide-open path to the goal behind them. In the 67th minute, such an opportunity put senior midfielder Taig Healy downfield with the ball and space to work with. A screaming strike into the bottom right corner gave Healy his first goal of the season.
“He’s been due for one,” Hubbard said. “He’s got unbelievable confidence. Even if it’s been a tough year for him getting on the score sheet, he’s the type of guy that wakes up feeling like he can do something incredible.
TAIGOOOOOOOOO
First goal of the season and what a time for it.
68′ | #3 NC STATE 2, #19 Duke 0 #CarryTheCulture pic.twitter.com/v72nCXS8Cv
— NC State Men’s Soccer (@PackMensSoccer) October 26, 2025
The Wolfpack held its 2-0 lead the rest of the way as the victory appeared more inevitable by the minute. With a large contingent of NC State fans offering up “Wolfpack” chants, the red-and-white spoiled Duke’s senior night with a Wolfpack celebration.
“I think the Red Terrors are the absolute backbone of this team and we wouldn’t be where we are without them,” Erb said. “Can’t thank them enough and I love every single one of them.”
NC State will conclude the regular season with a home match against Syracuse on Friday, Oct. 31. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. as the Wolfpack searches for its first win over the Orange since 2020.
