NC State soccer trails in ACC race
Ranked No. 2 in preseason, the Wolfpack is 1-3-3 in conference play and fighting to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament.
By Fatou Mitchell ·
NC State men's soccer enters the final stretch of the regular season sitting 46th in the Ratings Percentage Index. The Wolfpack, who entered the 2026 campaign ranked No. 2 in the nation, have won one, drawn three, and lost three of their seven conference matches. This record places the team in a scramble to qualify for the 48-team NCAA tournament.
The team's trajectory has shifted since the 2025 season, when NC State made its first national championship appearance. That squad lost to Washington in overtime for the title. For the 2026 season, the Wolfpack was selected to finish first in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The roster underwent major changes during the offseason following that run.
Four key players left the program. Striker Donavan Phillip, goalkeeper Logan Erb, midfielder Taig Healy, and defender Nikola Markovic all departed. Markovic was selected as the No. 1 pick in the MLS draft. Phillip, who played for the Colorado Rapids in 2025, led the nation with 19 goals and won the MAC Hermann trophy and ACC offensive player of the year honors.
The departure of Phillip has left a gap in the Wolfpack's attack. NC State averaged 2.22 goals per game in 2025. That average has dropped to 1.53 goals per game in 2026. Aidan Payne currently leads the team with eight goals, and Russell Berko is second with five. The team has scored a total of 23 goals this season.
Head coach Marc Hubbard has expressed frustration with the team's inability to convert chances into victories. "We're tying games, and we're losing games that we shouldn't," Hubbard said. "Created enough chances to win the game, again our finishing in the box let us down."
The Wolfpack has dominated possession in several matches without securing a win. In the opener against Coastal Carolina, NC State outshot the opponent 19 to 4 but drew the game. Against Louisville, the Wolfpack outshot the Cardinals 15 to 6 but lost 2 to 1. In a match against Queens, NC State took 11 shots in the first half while trailing 1 to 0 at the break.
Hubbard has brought in 14 new players to replace those who left. Many of these acquisitions are international transfers. The coach has continued to adjust the starting lineup throughout the season. Hubbard has reached the NCAA tournament in each of the last nine years.
The team faces a critical matchup on Friday night against the University of North Carolina. UNC is currently ranked 13th in the RPI. A victory against the Tar Heels would improve NC State's standing. The team has two regular season games remaining before the ACC tournament begins.
The NCAA tournament relies on RPI rankings to determine at-large bids. There are approximately 25 at-large slots available after conference champions receive automatic bids. NC State's current 46th place ranking requires a strong finish in the remaining schedule to secure a postseason berth.
The Wolfpack will look to the ACC tournament as a final opportunity to qualify. The team has not yet clinched a spot in the single-elimination bracket. The coming weeks will determine if the squad can recover from its mid-season slump and earn a place in the national field.
