North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State
Wake Forest
Pack Set for Top-10 Test at Wake Forest
10/3/2026 12:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State women's soccer will face its first top-10 opponent of the season when it travels to No. 4 Wake Forest on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 5 p.m. at Spry Stadium. The match will air on ACCNX.
The Pack enters Sunday at 9-1-2 after earning a 3-0 shutout win over Virginia Tech on Sept. 27. NC State will look to earn consecutive wins over the Demon Deacons for the first time since 1996 and 1997.
A Win Would …
- Mark Gary Higgins' 15th victory as head coach at NC State.
- Be the 417th win in program history.
- Be Higgins' 125th win in his coaching career.
- Mark the program's 10th all-time win over Wake Forest.
- Mark NC State's 10th win of the season.
- Be the Pack's third ACC win of the season.
- Give the Pack its most wins in a season since 2019.
Last Time Out
NC State topped Virginia Tech, 3-0, on Sunday, Sept. 27, at Dail Soccer Stadium. Jade Bordeleau, Mana Nakata and Antonella Mazziotto provided the offense as the Wolfpack returned to the win column following its first loss of the season. The victory marked NC State's ninth of the season, giving the Wolfpack its most wins in a season since 2021.
Bordeleau opened the scoring with her 13th goal of the season in the 16th minute off an assist from Daisy Duda. Nakata doubled the lead in the 40th minute with her second goal of the season, finishing a rebound off her initial shot. Mazziotto added insurance in the 80th minute off a second assist from Alex Mohr. Amor Leigh Martin Esteban made her first start in goal since Aug. 16 at VCU, recording a clean sheet with three saves. She became the second Wolfpack freshman goalkeeper to record a shutout win this season.
Scouting the Demon Deacons
No. 4 Wake Forest enters Sunday's matchup at 9-1-0 overall and 2-1-0 in ACC play after falling 2-0 at Stanford on Sept. 20. The Demon Deacons opened ACC play with wins over Virginia and Cal, earning a 1-0 victory over the Cavaliers before defeating the Golden Bears, 3-1. Sierra Sythe leads Wake Forest with six goals this season, while Henley Tippins, Lola Ressler and Kylie Maxwell have each scored three.
Head coach Tony da Luz is in his 30th season at the helm of the Demon Deacons in 2026. Under da Luz, Wake Forest has earned 24 NCAA Tournament bids in his 29 seasons, including a College Cup appearance in 2024, the program's second-ever and first national championship appearance. Da Luz has served as Wake Forest's head coach for 30 of the program's 32 seasons.
Series History
Sunday will mark the 33rd all-time meeting between NC State and Wake Forest, with the Demon Deacons holding a 20-9-3 advantage in the series.
The teams last met a season ago in Raleigh, when the Wolfpack earned its first win over a ranked opponent since 2021 with a victory over then-No. 12 Wake Forest. Jade Bordeleau led the way with a brace.
The Pack enters Sunday's contest looking for its first pair of consecutive wins over Wake Forest since 1996 and 1997.
For the latest on NC State women's soccer, follow @PackWSoccer on social media.
