The Georgetown University men’s soccer team’s 2025 campaign came to a disappointing close Dec. 6, as the Hoyas fell 3-2 to the North Carolina State University Wolfpack in the Elite 8. Early goals, controversial penalty kicks and physicality defined the match, leaving Hoyas on the field and in the bleachers discontented.
Despite the Hoyas’ (14-4-4, 6-0-2 Big East) best efforts, the Wolfpack (15-2-4, 4-1-3 ACC) capitalized on two penalty kick opportunities on contentious handball calls to find their way to the college cup.
The match got off to an intense, physical start. Georgetown came out aggressive, and on his first touch, NC State goalkeeper Logan Erb sent the ball into the stands instead of up the pitch. The Wolfpack regained possession and went on the counter, sending up the first shot of the day saved in a dive by senior goalkeeper Tenzing Manske.
Junior midfielder Eric Howard stepped in for the clearance, and, after some touches, the ball found its way to senior midfielder Zach Zengue with senior midfielder Max Viera by his side. With the threat of an upcoming two-against-one, NC State defender Isaac Heffess took Zengue to the ground, earning himself a yellow card in just the fourth minute. The ensuing Wolfpack caution gave the Hoyas a free kick and their first shot of the match: an unsuccessful high header by sophomore defender Tate Lampman that landed in Erb’s arms.
In the sixth minute, NC State went on the counterattack and earned a throw-in near the goal, with midfielder Taig Healy sending a weak ball past four Georgetown players and Manske to the far post and into the net, pulling NC State into the lead 1-0.
In the eighth minute, misfortune befell the Hoyas. Play stopped as the referee turned to video assistant referee (VAR) technology to review a potential handball call against Lampman. VAR showed Lampman marking Wolfpack defender Nikola Markovic and Markovic kicking the ball inches into Lampman’s outstretched arm as he moved to pull it away. NC State was awarded a penalty kick.
Wolfpack midfielder Drew Lovelance stepped up to take the penalty kick and sent it to the left post. Manske saved the penalty with a dive but Lovelance picked up the rebound and sent it into the net as Manske was unable to get up and dive to the other side fast enough for the second save. NC State cemented a 2-0 lead less than eight minutes into the match.
Still, Georgetown did not let their 2-0 deficit discourage them. The Hoyas found their way on attack and their best opportunity of the match 34 minutes in. Sophomore midfielder David Urrutia crossed a looping ball to junior midfielder Matthew Helfrich at the far post. A Wolfpack defender headed the ball out and first-year midfielder Loukas Maroutsis powered in a volley from outside the box into the back of the net for an incredible goal, cutting Georgetown’s deficit to 2-1; the crowd erupted in cheers.
The Hoyas’ high did not last long. Play stopped and went to VAR for the second time to review a potential handball in the 36th minute. VAR review showed Wolfpack defender Calem Tommy firing a ball onto Howard’s outstretched hand from mere feet away. The referees awarded NC State their second penalty kick of the match, and midfielder Carlos Santamaria sent it in to increase the Wolfpack’s lead to 3-1, marking the first time all season Georgetown conceded 3 goals.
The Hoyas took the goal in stride and went on the offensive. Viera sent up a shot that was blocked and the ball fell to Helfrich. After Helfrich released the ball, NC State’s Healy hit Helfrich high in the back and knocked him to the ground. Georgetown was awarded a free kick, and Zengue stepped up to take it. Zengue crossed the ball to the far post and Lampman ran in for the header over Erb, cutting the deficit to 3-2 in the 37th minute. With this assist, Zengue is now tied for first in the country in points with 14 goals and 14 assists.
The remainder of the half carried out with no success for either team.
Coming back from halftime, the intensity continued. NC State put up the first shot of the half again in the 51st minute, but Mankse secured the ball going to the ground. Sophomore forward Mitchell Baker put in a sliding challenge in the 56th minute, knocking Erb to the ground — he received a yellow card for the move.
In the 62nd minute, Helfrich received a long ball and was completely taken out by Wolfpack defender Riley Moloney, rolling multiple yards down the pitch; Moloney became the third NC State starting defender to receive a yellow card.
Zengue received a lofted pass from Lampman in the 68th minute and was taken out taking it up the pitch — referees issued Wolfpack midfielder Tyler Caton a caution. Zengue’s shot on the subsequent free kick sailed just wide of the left post.
Maroutsis saw his third good shot of the day in the 69th minute and almost found the back of the net as Erb nearly spilled the ball.
The last shot of the day came in the 77th minute. Ponce Ocampo sent a diagonal ball to Helfrich, who crossed the ball into Baker, whose header hit the woodwork.
The Hoyas never let up the intensity. A handball was called against NC State and the clock eventually stopped with 3.9 seconds remaining, after a lengthy VAR review where the Wolfpack coaching team was issued a caution. Urrutia lined up for the final free kick, but the Hoyas could not find the net and fell to the Wolfpack 3-2.
The loss marks the second year Georgetown’s season ended against NC State. Referees issued a total of 7 yellow cards throughout the match, with 5 going to the Wolfpack. Both teams put up 14 shots throughout the match, with 7 each on goal. The Hoyas’ unseating came from handballs. Neither handball call against Georgetown was on a play that presented a legitimate scoring opportunity, yet NC State received 2 goals from them.
Head Coach Brian Wiese said the Hoyas responded well despite the Wolfpack penalty kicks.
“The boys fought incredibly hard, and the situation they were put in, with two unbelievably unlucky penalty kick calls — guys get balls blasted at them from two yards away and having it hit an arm — I’m not sure what you’re supposed to do in that setting,” Wiese told The Hoya.
“I just thought it was a fantastic effort from our guys and I couldn’t be prouder of how they handled the scenario today,” Wiese added.
