NC State
2-6-2, 1-1-0
SMU
6-3-1, 0-1-1
Wolfpack Secures First ACC Win of Season at SMU
9/18/2025 9:53:00 PM | Women's Soccer
DALLAS – NC State women's soccer (2-6-2, 1-1-0 ACC) earned its first conference win of the 2025 season on Thursday night, defeating SMU (6-3-1, 0-1-1 ACC) 1-0 at Washburne Stadium. Jade Bordeleau provided the difference with a 50th-minute strike off passes from Mana Nakata and Mary Frances Symmes, giving first-year head coach Gary Higgins his first ACC victory at the helm of the Pack.
Neither side could break through in the opening 45 minutes as defense set the tone early. The Mustangs held a 6-1 shot advantage, but Olivia Pratapas came up with three saves to keep the match scoreless at the break. NC State's lone attempt of the half came from Nakata, while the Pack also generated pressure on its only corner kick.
NC State broke the deadlock just five minutes into the second half when Bordeleau buried a strike from the right side of the box off a pass from Nakata, with Symmes also credited with an assist. From there, the Pack locked down defensively, limiting SMU's looks in the attacking third. The Mustangs managed seven shots after the break, but Pratapas came up with two saves to secure the clean sheet and seal the 1-0 victory.
Of Note:
- Tonight's victory marked NC State's first ACC win of the season and its first road conference triumph in three years. The Pack's last league win away from Dail Soccer Stadium came on Sept. 29, 2022, at Clemson.
- Bordeleau's goal is her team-best fourth of the season and 10th of her collegiate career. Coming into the night, she had recorded 34 shots this season which was fifth in the conference.
- Nakata provided an assist on the lone goal tonight for her second of the season.
- Symmes also recorded an assist on Bordeleau's goal for her first collegiate helper.
- Pratapas finished the night with four saves, recording her third clean sheet in the last four games.
- With the win tonight, Higgins recorded his first ACC win as head coach of NC State. The victory is also the second one for him at the helm of the Pack.
- Eight players went the full 90 for NC State in Pratapas, Holt, Yuna Aoki, Alex Mohr, Nakata, Jade Bordeleau, Wong, and Mackenzie Smith.
- The win moves NC State to 5-2-0 all-time against SMU and keeps Higgins unbeaten against the Mustangs. He is now 3-0-0 in his coaching career against SMU, with all three victories coming in Dallas.
Up Next
NC State returns to Dail Soccer Stadium for its Mental Health Match against No. 7 Florida State on Sunday, Sept. 21. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on ACCNX.
To stay up-to-date with NC State women's soccer, follow @packwsoccer on social media.
Team Stats
Jade Bordeleau (4)
Assisted By: Mana Nakata , Mary Frances Symmes
GOAL by NCS Bordeleau, Jade Assist by Nakata, Mana and Symmes, Mary Frances.
49:52
