Pack Uses Late Goals to Top Western Carolina

Thursday, September 3

Cullowhee, N.C.

7 PM

NC State

7-0-0, 0-0-0

Western Carolina

1-4-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
NC State	0	2	2
Western Caro.	0	0	0

9/3/2026 9:27:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score MATCH 7 | Western Carolina Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - NC State women's soccer used a pair of late goals to defeat Western Carolina, 2-0, on Thursday night at the Catamount Athletic Complex. Jade Bordeleau broke through with the game-winning goal in the 80th minute for her team-leading ninth goal of the season before Mana Nakata added an insurance goal five minutes later.

With the win, the Wolfpack moved to 7-0 for the first time since 2008 and extended its winning streak to seven matches, tied for the third-longest streak in program history.

NC State dominated possession and created plenty of opportunities in the opening half, recording 14 shots but unable to find the back of the net. Nakata provided one of the Pack's best chances of the first 45 minutes with a shot from outside the box that struck the crossbar in the 26th minute, but the Catamount defense kept the match scoreless heading into halftime.

The Wolfpack continued to create chances in the second half but was repeatedly denied until the 80th minute. Yuna Aoki played a ball upfield to Bordeleau, who received it at her feet in the middle of the box before firing a right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner to give NC State the breakthrough.

Nakata doubled the Wolfpack's lead in the 85th minute with a goal that required video review before being awarded. The score marked Nakata's first goal of the season and provided the insurance as NC State went on to secure the 2-0 victory.

Riley Pickels earned her second career shutout in goal, needing to make just one save in the win.

Of Note:

Bordeleau recorded her ACC-leading and team-leading ninth goal of the season. She is now one goal shy of matching her 10-goal total from 2025, which made her the first NC State player to score in double figures in a season since 2019.
Bordeleau's goal was the 25th of her career.
Nakata's goal was her first of the season and fifth of her career.
Aoki assisted on Bordeleau's goal for her first helper of the season and third of her career.
The Wolfpack outshot the Catamounts, 30-3, continuing its streak of outshooting every opponent this season.
NC State is 7-0 to start a season for the first time since 2008. The team's current seven-game winning streak is tied for the third-longest in program history.
Pickels recorded her second career shutout, making one save in the clean sheet.
The victory marked Gary Higgins' 12th win as NC State's head coach and the 122nd of his coaching career.
The win marked the program's fourth all-time victory over Western Carolina.

Up Next
NC State travels to Campbell on Sunday, Sept. 6, for a 7 p.m. match on FloCollege and Amazon Prime.

For the latest on NC State women's soccer, follow @PackWSoccer on social media.