Playing in nearby Cary, N.C., NC State clawed back from a 2-0 deficit and tied the score at 2-2 with three minutes left in regulation to force overtime. But the Huskies managed to get the winner in dramatic fashion, scoring a few minutes into the first overtime period.
‘We told them it was going to be hard… there are going to be twists and turns. To give up a goal with three minutes to go and put their heads back up and go out there again, it’s incredible,’ Washington coach Jamie Clark told ESPN afterward.
Clark admitted he didn’t know who scored the winner, which was under review for a possible offside. When ESPN told him it was Huskies center back Harrison Bertos, Clark exclaimed, ‘Harry? Oh, we live be the Bertos, we die by the Bertos! That was our saying all year!’
Washington knocked out five of the tournament’s 16 national seeds during its run to the title.
Here’s how it happened:
College Cup final score
College Cup final live updates
Washington 3, NC State 2
GOAL! The Huskies win their first national title two minutes into overtime. A loose ball in the box is turned in by Harrison Bertos. Video review. Will it stand? They’re checking a possible offside call.
It stands. Washington wins it.
End of regulation: Washington 2, NC State 2
And we’re going to overtime. Two 10-minute periods, golden goal. If we’re still tied after that, we go to PKs.
Washington 2, NC State 2, 87′
GOAL! With less that four minutes left, Taig Healy guides one into the corner. Washington goalie Jadon Bowton gets a fingertip to it but can’t keep it out. Cary, NC is going bananas.
Washington 2, NC State 1, 72′
NC State pushing hard for an equalizer. Huskies goalkeeper Jadon Bowton has been called into action for a few key saves. Buckle up, it’s going to get wild. It’s one-way traffic right now. Crowd is into it.
Washington 2, NC State 1, 66′
GOAL! NC State gets one back. There’s been a ton of traffic in the Washington box and Donavan Phillip is able to turn the ball into the net after a deflection off a defender. Goal was reviewed, but stands. Game on.
Washington 2, NC State 0, 61′
GOAL! Washington doubles its lead. Richie Aman gets to the endline and gets a cross in and Joe Dale gets in front of his defender to tap the ball into the net. It’ll be an all-out Wolfpack attack from here on out.
Washington 1, NC State 0, 55′
The partisan North Carolina crowd is trying to will the Wolfpack to an equalizer, but so far the Washington defense has done its job. A few shots from the Huskies serve as a warning.
HALFTIME: Washington 1, NC State 0
Both teams have had chances, but Zach Ramsey’s goal is the difference at the break. The Huskies are 12-0-0 this season when scoring first.
Washington 1, NC State 0, 44′
GOAL! A long ball is misplayed in the back by the Wolfpack and NC State goalie Logan Erb rushes out to clean up, but his clearance falls to Washington’s Zach Ramsey who chips the ball into the empty net for the opening goal.
Washington 0, NC State 0, 40′
Yellow card for Washington’s Osato Enabulele for a nasty tackle. NC State’s Riley Moloney lucky to avoid serious injury there.
Washington 0, NC State 0, 25′
Still scoreless midway through the first half. Wolfpack have come close a few times.
What time does College Cup final start?
Date: Monday, Dec. 15
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Where: First Horizon Stadium (Cary, North Carolina)
NC State and Washington will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 15 from First Horizon Stadium in Cary, North Carolina in the College Cup final.
What TV channel is College Cup final on today?
TV channel: ESPNU
Livestream: Fubo (free trial)
The College Cup final between Washington and NC State will be broadcast on ESPNU. Streaming options for the game include Fubo, which carries ESPNU and offers a free trial to new subscribers.
College Cup final predictions
Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Sports: NC State 2, Washington 1
The Wolfpack have been among the most balanced teams in the country all season, with a stout defense and one of the best goal-scorers in the country. That will be enough to get them by the Huskies in what should be a hard-fought, closely contested match.
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