It’s easy to say. It’s hard to do.

“The standard for us is Cary,” said senior goalkeeper Logan Erb after NC State’s Sept. 5 matchup versus North Carolina. “We have a saying called ‘carry the culture’, which is also a play on Cary, North Carolina, where the final four for the ACC and the final four for the national championship [are played]. So that is our goal.”

Proving it’s more than just a catchy saying, No. 15 seed NC State men’s soccer took down No. 7 seed Georgetown 3-2 in the NCAA Soccer Championship Quarterfinals, earning its first College Cup berth since 1990.

There was not a dull moment in the Elite Eight matchup, filled by spectacular, high-flying offensive plays and nail-biting, grueling defensive sequences. NC State (15-2-4) burst out the gate with a sixth-minute goal and kept pounding the net in the first frame, scoring three goals, but Georgetown (14-3-5) fired back to get within a goal before half. Standing on its head, NC State carried its lead through the entire second half, holding off the Hoyas’ tremendous final charge.

“It was probably the most hectic 45 minutes we’ve had all season,” senior midfielder Drew Lovelace said in an interview with writer Rob McLamb after the game. “To be able to shut them out in that second half was unreal … Everyone was just working for one another.”

With an NCAA tournament appearance streak dating back to 2017, which includes a title in 2019 and an additional College Cup berth in 2021, Georgetown is nothing short of an NCAA soccer powerhouse. But if you started following NC State soccer last year as head coach Marc Hubbard arrived in Raleigh, you would have no idea. The Pack’s quarterfinal win is its second NCAA tournament win over the Hoyas in two years, having won last year’s matchup 2-1 in the second round.

One of the biggest stars on last year’s squad, senior midfielder Taig Healy — who assisted on both goals in the Pack’s 2024 match versus Georgetown — once again made his presence felt. Controlling the throw-in and squeezing his shot through many bodies and a pair of legs, Healy put NC State ahead in the sixth minute and set the tone for the match.

Getting two primo chances on penalty kicks that were initiated after Georgetown was called for a handball in its own box, the Pack buried both — enough to survive a push from the talented Georgetown offense. The first was scored by Lovelace just a minute after Healy’s tally, who collected the rebound from his penalty and put it in the net. The other penalty goal came in the 35th minute, scored by sixth-year Carlos Santamaria.

For much of the match, NC State looked confident and in control with tight and organized passing, even on a muddy pitch. Originally scheduled to be played at 6 p.m. yesterday, the game had been postponed due to rain. That didn’t seem to bother the Pack.

“It’s a different game, this one. Its a little more direct,” Hubbard said. “…[the] field is slippery, first and second balls become more important. It’s like a territory game.”

What did bother the Pack was Georgetown’s talented offensive front, tallying two spectacular goals — the first coming off the foot of Loukas Maroutsis in the 34th minute, as he one-timed a volley into the top left corner. The second goal was a beautiful header on a swooping set piece center from midfield into the perfect spot. Both goals put the Hoyas within one at their respective times.

“We had two two-goal leads kind of evaporate, so it’s just a mental struggle and leaning on each other to calm ourselves down,” Hubbard said. “Take one play at a time and I think that results in a good second half.”

The final 20 minutes were grueling for anyone with a rooting interest. Push after push, and offensive attack after offensive attack, the Hoyas did everything they could to keep their season alive. Meanwhile, the Pack did everything it could to waste time and limp into the College Cup. Surviving a shot off the post and a few dangerous centered passes, NC State stood tall.

Rallying behind the hashtag and slogan #carrytheculture, NC State has delivered on its promises. But it’s not over when you make it to the dance. You still have to win the dang thing.

“The first year, he told us ‘this isn’t a rebuilding year, we’re gonna go try and win it, first season,’” Lovelace said. “We fell short last season but it was the exact same mentality coming into this season. ‘We’re gonna win the natty.’”

Two wins away from a national championship, NC State will face Saint Louis on Dec. 12 in the College Cup in Cary, North Carolina, playing for a chance to reach its first ever NCAA Soccer Championship Finals. Kickoff time is initially slated for 8:30 p.m.

In the other semifinal, No. 16 seed Furman faces Washington. The winners will square up the following Monday.