NC State
1-5-2, 0-0-0
Campbell
2-3-2, 0-0-0
Pack Offense Erupts as Higgins Earns First Win
9/7/2025 11:03:00 PM | Women's Soccer
RALEIGH, N.C. – Mary Frances Symmes recorded a brace as NC State women's soccer (1-5-2, 0-0-0 ACC) erupted for a season-high four goals in a 4-0 shutout victory over Campbell (2-3-2, 0-0-0 CAA) Sunday night at Dail Soccer Stadium, giving first-year head coach Gary Higgins his first win at the helm of the Pack.
"I feel really good," said Higgins. "More importantly for the girls and the team just because they've been working hard. I thought some of our performances have been good and the ball just didn't bounce our way at times. When you get in those situations, if you keep on working hard and doing the right things, eventually it will start falling your way. The girls kept on going and got the reward of that tonight."
The Wolfpack wasted no time getting on the board, scoring its first goal inside the opening 15 minutes of a match this season. In the third minute, Daisy Duda sent in a corner that was attempted to be cleared by Campbell, but Jade Bordeleau rose to head the ball at the goal. Symmes provided the finishing touch and slot the ball past Campbell goalkeeper Anaïs van Doesburg and make it 1-0.
NC State nearly doubled its lead in the 26th minute when Duda chipped in a ball from Mana Nakata, but the attempt was waved off for offside. The Pack continued to press throughout the half, generating several chances before taking the 1-0 advantage into halftime, the first time this season NC State entered the break with a lead.
Bordeleau extended the advantage just 83 seconds into the second half, pouncing on a loose ball that bounced toward a Campbell midfielder and beating the Camels' back line to net her third goal of the season, putting the Wolfpack ahead 2-0.
The scoring continued in the 58th minute when Duda, who has delivered consistent quality service all season, sent a ball from the left corner of the box to the right foot of Fien Leijdekker, who slotted it home and made it 3-0.
Less than two minutes later, Symmes secured her brace with a shot from outside the box that curled into the bottom left corner of the net, extending the Pack's lead to 4-0, a scoreline that held the rest of the way.
NC State dominated the stat sheet, outshooting Campbell 30-6 while holding 59 percent of possession. The defense kept the Camels quiet in the attacking third, and when called upon, Olivia Pratapas came up with five saves to secure her second-straight shutout.
In front of its most electric crowd of the season, 1,242 fans on International Night, the Wolfpack also celebrated Alumni Night, honoring 10 former players at halftime: Krista Leap '86, Laura Kerrigan '89, Trisha Stacey '89, Mary Yohey '92, Thori Staples Bryan '95, Suzanne Gerrior '95, Monica Hall Brown '96, Carla Holt '97, Megan Crotts '97, and Alyssa Bennett '11.
Of Note:
- Tonight's victory marked the Pack's first of the season and extended its unbeaten streak to two matches following Thursday's draw at Elon.
- The victory over Campbell marks the first win of the Gary Higgins era of NC State women's soccer.
- NC State recorded four goals in a game for the first time since Sept. 15, 2024, in a 4-0 win against George Washington.
- Tonight is the second-straight shutout for Pratapas and the Pack defense after playing to a scoreless draw at Elon.
- Symmes' brace marked the first two goals of her collegiate career, coming in her first multi-goal outing. Leijdekker also netted the first goal of her career in the win.
- Bordeleau's goal was the third of her season, a team best. She also added her first assist of the season in the win.
- Duda continues to be a force in the Wolfpack passing game, recording her team-leading third assist of the season.
- NC State outshot Campbell, 30-6, with the 30 attempts marking a season high for the Pack. Bordeleau paced the attack with eight shots, as the Wolfpack more than doubled its season average of 14.3 shots per contest.
- Five players went the full 90 for NC State in Pratapas, Brooklyn Holt, Yuna Aoki, Alex Mohr, and Mackenzie Smith.
- The win moves NC State to 16-1-2 all-time against Campbell. It also keeps the Pack unbeaten at home against the Camels.
Up Next
NC State opens ACC play at home against Notre Dame on Thursday, Sept. 11. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. on ACCNX.
To stay up to date with NC State women's soccer, follow @packwsoccer on social media.
Team Stats
Mary Frances Symmes (2)
Assisted By: Jade Bordeleau
GOAL by NCS Symmes, Mary Frances Assist by Bordeleau, Jade.
02:45
Jade Bordeleau (3)
GOAL by NCS Bordeleau, Jade.
46:23
Fien Leijdekker (1)
Assisted By: Daisy Duda
GOAL by NCS Leijdekker, Fien Assist by Duda, Daisy.
57:13
Mary Frances Symmes (2)
GOAL by NCS Symmes, Mary Frances.
58:51
