NC State
0-1-1, 0-0-0
East Carolina
0-1-1, 0-0-0
Mazziotto’s Header Helps Wolfpack Come Back to Draw ECU
8/17/2025 10:16:00 PM | Women's Soccer
GREENVILLE, N.C. - A 71st-minute header by Antonella Mazziotto (Fray Bentos, Uruguay) off a corner kick by Mana Nakata helped the NC State women's soccer team (0-1-1, 0-0-0 ACC) come back to draw East Carolina (0-1-1, 0-0-0 AAC), 1-1, on Sunday night at Johnson Stadium in the team's first road contest of the season.
Antonella was up for it tonight, said head coach Gary Higgins. She had a frustrating game when both teams played each other last year, so she was really up for it tonight and I was really proud of her. She was good on the ball, she was dangerous attacking, and obviously she's amazing at attacking headers and really attacking those set pieces with a lot of desire. So fantastic header, good delivery from Mana, so I was really proud of them both for that.
The first half saw numerous scoring opportunities for both squads with ECU outshooting the Pack, 8-7, in the first 45 minutes of play. However, neither team could find the back of the net.
Olivia Pratapas was key in the scoreless first half with five saves to keep the Pirates off the board, despite a few strong chances late in the frame.
Despite not scoring, NC State's offense was making its way down the field all half with a pair of shots by Mazziotto leading the way.
In the second half, ECU took a lead quickly after coming out of the locker room when Isabella Gutierrez converted a penalty kick in the 49th minute to break the deadlock.
Following the Pirates' goal, the Pack began putting on the pressure offensively with strong chances at an equalizer. Six shots after the game's first score, Mazziotto finally broke through for NC State on a set-piece header that leveled the game at one. Nakata, who serviced the corner kick, sent a perfect ball into the box that set up the score.
Following the leveler, neither team was able to take the lead as the score remained a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes of play.
Of Note:
- Mazziotto's goal was the first of her career and season. She also led the offensive attack all night with five shots.
- Nakata's assist was the first of her season after a 2024 campaign where she led the Pack in the stat with three.
- Fien Leijdekker earned a spot in tonight's starting XI for her first collegiate start.
- Erica Roberts made her season debut in the draw with her first start for the Wolfpack against her former school.
- Six Wolfpack players went the full 90 minutes: Pratapas, Yuna Aoki, Alex Mohr, Nakata, Brooklyn Holt, and Mackenzie Smith.
Up Next
The Pack will travel to East Lansing, Mich. for a Thursday night (Aug. 21) contest at Michigan State. The game will kick off at 8 p.m. on Big Ten Plus.
For more on NC State women's soccer, follow @packwsoccer on social media.
Team Stats
Isabella Gutiérrez (1)
ECU Isabella Gutiérrez PENALTY KICK GOAL.
48:14
Antonella Mazziotto (1)
Assisted By: Mana Nakata
GOAL by NCS Mazziotto, Antonella Assist by Nakata, Mana.
70:39
