
Late Goal the Difference as Wolfpack Falls to No. 6 Notre Dame
9/11/2025 10:27:00 PM | Women's Soccer
RALEIGH, N.C. – An 86th-minute game-winning score proved to be the difference as NC State women's soccer (1-6-2, 0-1-0 ACC) fell 2-1 to No. 6 Notre Dame (6-0-1, 1-0-0 ACC) on Thursday night at Dail Soccer Stadium. The Wolfpack grabbed the early lead, but the Fighting Irish responded with two unanswered goals to spoil NC State's ACC home opener.
Emily Wong put the Pack in front in the ninth minute, capitalizing on a set-piece service from Mana Nakata that deflected off an Irish defender before Wong slotted it into the far corner. The tally marked NC State's second-straight match with a goal inside the opening 15 minutes.
Notre Dame leveled the score in the 39th minute when Laney Matriano found Izzy Engle, who finished to the back of the net. Just three minutes later, the Irish were awarded a penalty kick, but goalkeeper Olivia Pratapas denied the attempt to keep the match even heading into halftime.
The Irish ramped up the pressure in the second half, firing 14 shots, but the Wolfpack back line held firm until the 86th minute when Annabelle Chukwu netted the game-winner off a feed from Morgan Roy to give Notre Dame its victory.
Despite being outshot 25-9, NC State battled from whistle to whistle, with Pratapas, Brooklyn Holt and the Pack defense holding strong to clear out repeated Irish threats until the late breakthrough.
Of Note:
NC State has a week off before traveling to Dallas, Texas, to take on SMU on Thursday, Sept. 18. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. on ACCNX.
To stay up to date with NC State women's soccer, follow @packwsoccer on social media.
Emily Wong put the Pack in front in the ninth minute, capitalizing on a set-piece service from Mana Nakata that deflected off an Irish defender before Wong slotted it into the far corner. The tally marked NC State's second-straight match with a goal inside the opening 15 minutes.
Notre Dame leveled the score in the 39th minute when Laney Matriano found Izzy Engle, who finished to the back of the net. Just three minutes later, the Irish were awarded a penalty kick, but goalkeeper Olivia Pratapas denied the attempt to keep the match even heading into halftime.
The Irish ramped up the pressure in the second half, firing 14 shots, but the Wolfpack back line held firm until the 86th minute when Annabelle Chukwu netted the game-winner off a feed from Morgan Roy to give Notre Dame its victory.
Despite being outshot 25-9, NC State battled from whistle to whistle, with Pratapas, Brooklyn Holt and the Pack defense holding strong to clear out repeated Irish threats until the late breakthrough.
Of Note:
- Wong's goal was the first of the freshman's college career. She has been a consistent piece for the Pack all season, starting in every game and going the full 90 minutes of five of those outings.
- For the second straight game, Pratapas made five saves in goal.
- Nine players went the full 90 for NC State in Pratapas, Holt, Yuna Aoki, Alex Mohr, Nakata, Jade Bordeleau, Wong, Mary Frances Symmes, and Mackenzie Smith.
- The loss moves NC State to 10-3-1 all-time against Notre Dame.
NC State has a week off before traveling to Dallas, Texas, to take on SMU on Thursday, Sept. 18. The game kicks 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
UND
NCS
Goals
2
1
Shots
25
9
Shots on Goal
7
6
Saves
5
5
Corners
11
5
Fouls
7
7
Scoring Plays

Emily Wong (1)
GOAL by NCS Wong, Emily.
08:35

Izzy Engle (7)
Assisted By: Laney Matriano
GOAL by UND Engle, Izzy Assist by Matriano, Laney.
38:11

Annabelle Chukwu (6)
Assisted By: Morgan Roy
GOAL by UND Chukwu, Annabelle Assist by Roy, Morgan.
85:49
Game Leaders
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