Junior forward Jade Bordeleau shattered multiple records for NC State women’s soccer during the 2025 season — and still has another season to raise the bar even higher.
This past season, the forward caught fire with 10 goals — becoming the first Wolfpack player since 2019 to hit double digits. Scoring in five straight games, she attained the program’s second-longest streak and the first of its kind this century. Also leading the team in shots, she put up an astounding 61 in total, not afraid to take them from anywhere on the field.
“At this level, it is important to have a shoot-first mentality,” Bordeleau said. “If the shots are not open, that is when you look around to find your teammate.”
Bordeleau was a huge help in turning the season around for the team. Starting the season off on a bad foot, it went 0-5-2 and didn’t get its first win until halfway through the season, when it played Campbell. With many of the games being decided by just one goal, Bordeleau was often the one scoring these goals to keep her team in the game.
The Canadian appeared in all 54 games during her tenure and started 34, including all 18 this fall. Coming from the U17 National Team in Canada to playing in the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2022, Bordeleau has immense experience.
By the season’s end, she was named to the All-ACC second team roster, the first to do so since 2021. Bordeleau was also one of two NC State athletes to earn an ACC weekly honour. The week of Oct. 7, she was awarded ACC co-offensive player of the week.
“I am so proud of Jade,” said head coach Gary Higgins. “She thoroughly deserves this recognition. To score 10 goals in a season is a fantastic achievement, but to score seven goals in 10 games in the ACC is truly exceptional. Not only did she help the team with her goal contribution, but she worked tirelessly in every game and helped lead our team to some very important results.”
After a successful freshman and sophomore season, playing a total of 1,822 minutes, scoring her first career goal in the 2023 season opener against Utah and starting for her first four collegiate games, she was able to experience a new way of coaching as Higgins stepped into the role for the first time.
This coaching switch gave Bordeleau a fresh start and a new perspective on her style of play. She found she played better and was more open to constructive criticism. What she called a “human relationship” with Higgins set her up for future success.
“[Having a good relationship] is one of the most important things because if you have a good relationship with your coach, you can talk to them about anything and they can help you with anything,” Bordeleau said. “They can help you get better by knowing you and how to coach you; what you like and what you don’t like. It is so important to get to know your coaches.”
Higgins was one of the reasons Bordeleau had such a successful season.
“Our coach texted me … ‘Hey Jade, I think you can really make an ACC team,’ Bordeleau said. “He told me to work on it and just keep working hard until I am able to get an opportunity like that.”
Even though she has never been designated as a team captain, her leadership is evident to everyone around this team. Bordeleau has confidence in her play that doesn’t go unnoticed.
“Many of the players and the coaches tell me they look up to the leadership in me,” Bordeleau said. “I think I’m like an underdog leader. I’ve never worn a captain’s brace, I’m not really the loud-speaking type of leader, but I think I lead more through action.”
Bordeleau shows characteristics of leadership on and off the field. Putting in over 20 hours of work each week, she is a prime example of the kind of player every coach hopes to have. With still a full year left to play, she has plenty of time to break more records and leave a lasting legacy at this school.
