North Carolina State University Athletics

Women’s Soccer Opens 2023 Season at Home Against Utah
8/16/2023 3:19:00 PM | Women's Soccer
RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State women's soccer opens regular season play Thursday night against Utah at Dail Soccer Stadium. Thursday's season opener is set for 7 p.m.
The Wolfpack's 2023 regular season opener will stream live on ACC Network Extra. Live stats will also be available for Thursday's game.
SEASON OPENER SUCCESS
During the Tim Santoro coaching era, NC State is 7-2-1 in season openers. The Wolfpack has also logged eight multi-goal performances during those 10 season openers, posting a 7-0-1 record when it tallied two or more goals in its past 10 season openers. NC State registered a 4-0 victory over Rhode Island to kick off the 2022 season at Dail Soccer Stadium.
SERIES HISTORY
NC State and Utah will square off for the first time in Thursday night's season opener. A few notes concerning the Pack's season opener are listed below:
• The last time NC State faced a team from the state of Utah was in the NCAA Third Round against No. 4 BYU in Provo, Utah. The Cougars secured a 3-0 victory to advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals.
• This will be only the second time NC State has faced a team from the state of Utah in program history.
• Assistant coach Maddy Haro was a standout at Washington State for four seasons (2015-18) and held a 2-2 record against Utah during her playing career (1-0 in 2015, 0-1 in 2016, 3-0 in 2017 and 0-1 in 2018).
SCOUTING THE UTES
Utah head coach Hideki Nakada enters his third season in charge of the Utes' program, leading Utah to a 6-7-6 record this past season. The Utes return their top two goal scorers from 2022, highlighted by Taliana Kaufusi's team-high six goals and 12 points. Utah finished its 2022 campaign with four nonconference victories, opening this past season with a 3-0-1 record. Utah also notched a 1-1 tie against Alabama, who advanced to the College Cup a season ago.
JOSEPH NAMED TO PRESEASON ALL-ACC TEAM
Jameese Joseph was named to the 2023 Women's Soccer Preseason All-ACC Team on Aug. 10. Joseph, an All-ACC honoree in back-to-back seasons, scored a team-high eight goals and recorded two assists for a team-best 18 points in 2022.
2023 FALL ROSTER
The 2023 roster is comprised of 27 players, which features 18 returners and nine newcomers. Eight of NC State's nine newcomers are freshmen, while the sole transfer added to this year's squad is North Carolina native and former Louisville goalkeeper Olivia Pratapas.
CLOSING IN ON 400
NC State sits just five wins away from program victory No. 400. The Wolfpack's first opportunity to reach 400 program wins will be a road matchup at Denver, the reigning Summit League champions.
UP NEXT
The Wolfpack travels to Charlotte for its first road matchup of the season. NC State's road opener against the 49ers is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcasted live on ESPN+.
The Wolfpack's 2023 regular season opener will stream live on ACC Network Extra. Live stats will also be available for Thursday's game.
SEASON OPENER SUCCESS
During the Tim Santoro coaching era, NC State is 7-2-1 in season openers. The Wolfpack has also logged eight multi-goal performances during those 10 season openers, posting a 7-0-1 record when it tallied two or more goals in its past 10 season openers. NC State registered a 4-0 victory over Rhode Island to kick off the 2022 season at Dail Soccer Stadium.
SERIES HISTORY
NC State and Utah will square off for the first time in Thursday night's season opener. A few notes concerning the Pack's season opener are listed below:
• The last time NC State faced a team from the state of Utah was in the NCAA Third Round against No. 4 BYU in Provo, Utah. The Cougars secured a 3-0 victory to advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals.
• This will be only the second time NC State has faced a team from the state of Utah in program history.
• Assistant coach Maddy Haro was a standout at Washington State for four seasons (2015-18) and held a 2-2 record against Utah during her playing career (1-0 in 2015, 0-1 in 2016, 3-0 in 2017 and 0-1 in 2018).
SCOUTING THE UTES
Utah head coach Hideki Nakada enters his third season in charge of the Utes' program, leading Utah to a 6-7-6 record this past season. The Utes return their top two goal scorers from 2022, highlighted by Taliana Kaufusi's team-high six goals and 12 points. Utah finished its 2022 campaign with four nonconference victories, opening this past season with a 3-0-1 record. Utah also notched a 1-1 tie against Alabama, who advanced to the College Cup a season ago.
JOSEPH NAMED TO PRESEASON ALL-ACC TEAM
Jameese Joseph was named to the 2023 Women's Soccer Preseason All-ACC Team on Aug. 10. Joseph, an All-ACC honoree in back-to-back seasons, scored a team-high eight goals and recorded two assists for a team-best 18 points in 2022.
2023 FALL ROSTER
The 2023 roster is comprised of 27 players, which features 18 returners and nine newcomers. Eight of NC State's nine newcomers are freshmen, while the sole transfer added to this year's squad is North Carolina native and former Louisville goalkeeper Olivia Pratapas.
CLOSING IN ON 400
NC State sits just five wins away from program victory No. 400. The Wolfpack's first opportunity to reach 400 program wins will be a road matchup at Denver, the reigning Summit League champions.
UP NEXT
The Wolfpack travels to Charlotte for its first road matchup of the season. NC State's road opener against the 49ers is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcasted live on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
Meet Head Women's Soccer Coach Gary Higgins
Friday, December 20
EmpowHER - NC State Women's Soccer's Book Club
Wednesday, February 07
EmpowHER: Women's Soccer
Tuesday, February 06
2023 NC State Women's Soccer Season Recap
Monday, December 11








