Pack Downs SMU for First ACC Victory of Season

Thursday, September 17

Raleigh, N.C.

6 PM

NC State

8-0-2, 1-0-1

SMU

5-3-2, 0-2-0

Team	1	2	Final F
SMU	2	0	2
NC State	4	0	4

Match Notes Box Score (PDF)

9/17/2026 9:24:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score MATCH 10 | SMU Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State women's soccer defeated SMU, 4-2, in its ACC home opener Thursday night for its first conference win of the season. Jade Bordeleau led the way with a brace, recording her third multi-goal game of the season and bringing her season total to 12.

With the win, NC State remained unbeaten on the season at 8-0-2, continuing the program's best start since 1991. The Wolfpack's eight wins also mark its most in a season since 2021.

Bordeleau got to work quickly, scoring her 11th goal of the season in the fourth minute to establish a new career high in goals, surpassing her 10-goal total from 2025. The senior headed home a ball from the back of the box off passes from Daisy Duda and Madison Casteen to give the Pack an early lead.

The Wolfpack doubled its advantage in the eighth minute when SMU conceded an own goal.

The Mustangs answered less than a minute later, as Brooke Benton converted SMU's penalty kick in the ninth minute after a foul in the box by Mary Frances Symmes. The goal marked the first penalty kick conceded by NC State this season.

Bordeleau restored the Wolfpack's two-goal lead in the 21st minute, finding the back of the net from the top of the box with a right-footed line-drive shot for her 12th score of the campaign. Aoki recorded an assist on the play.

Erica Roberts added another goal in the 33rd minute, creating her own chance after winning a loose ball from the Mustangs before firing a left-footed shot from just inside the box into the back of the net. The score was her fifth of the season and second in as many games.

SMU added a second goal late in the first half, sending the Pack into the locker room with a 4-2 advantage.

Neither team found the back of the net in the second half, as NC State held on for the 4-2 victory and its first ACC win of the season.

The Wolfpack outshot SMU, 21-8, while holding the Mustangs to two corner kicks. NC State earned four corner kicks on the night.

Of Note:

Bordeleau's brace marked her third multi-goal game of the season, bringing her season total to 12 and her career total to 28.
Roberts' goal was the fifth of her season and sixth of her career. She has now scored in both of NC State's ACC contests this season.
Duda and Aoki's assists brought their season totals to three and two, respectively. Casteen also recorded an assist, marking the first of her career.
Riley Pickels earned the win in goal, making one save.
For the second consecutive season, NC State earned its first ACC win of the season over SMU. The Pack now leads the all-time series, 6-2-0.
With tonight's win, the Pack remains unbeaten at 8-0-2.
Combined with the draw at Florida State on Sept. 11, tonight's win marked the first time since 2017 that NC State has gone unbeaten through its first two ACC contests.
Tonight's victory marked head coach Gary Higgins' 13th win at the helm of the Pack.
NC State outshot SMU, 21-8, continuing its streak of outshooting every opponent this season.

Up Next
NC State remains home for a match against Miami on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. The match will air on ACCNX.

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