The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026 ■ 25 first national championship with a 3-2 victory on Dec. 15 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. But Hubbard's team did itself proud throughout the entire season, con- tinuing the remarkable turnaround of a once-struggling program. The title game appearance allowed the 44-year- old coach to take a step back with his squad after it clawed its way out of a 2-0 deficit to level the score with a pair of tallies in the final 24 minutes. Hubbard prides himself on not only helping his players improve on the pitch, but also creating an environment in which they can become better people. It was in that context that he viewed the loss to the Huskies. As badly as it stung, it also offered an opportunity for per- sonal growth. "Their ability to come back in these situations will give them confidence in their lives to go out and do great things," Hubbard said. "When things are tough, they can react in a proper way. That's what we talk about every day, and I think that moment holds true. Noth- ing is going to be perfect in their lives. If you can take a deep breath and reflect quickly before you react, that's what that represents." A Leap Of Faith While Hubbard was speaking with his team, senior midfielder Taig Healy was embracing his final moments as a col- lege soccer player. He took a leap of faith when he joined his coach in moving from the University of New Hampshire to NC State ahead of the 2024 cam- paign, and he looks back on his career with immense pride. "I was looking around at the other guys in the huddle and at [Hubbard], knowing it was probably over, just thinking, 'I'm so proud of every single one of us,'" Healy said. "It's the most special team I've been a part of, so I just had a moment to soak it in." He and the other 30 players on the Wolfpack roster continued the pro- gram's meteoric rise this fall. In 2024, H u b ba rd 's f i rs t sea so n , NC S ta te reached the Sweet 16. This year, the Pack bettered that performance by making the deepest NCAA Tournament run in program history, reaching the title game in front of what amounted to a home crowd less than 6 miles from campus. NC State's historic dash through the field of 64 included shutouts over Mar- shall (2-0, Nov. 23) and UNC Greens- boro (2-0, Nov. 30), followed by a gritty 3-2 victory at No. 7 Georgetown on Dec. 6. At the College Cup, the Wolfpack de- feated Saint Louis, 2-1, Dec. 12 to ad- vance to the title match. Against Washington, the Pack got goals from junior forward Donavan Phillip and Healy to force extra time. While the game didn't end with confetti falling down upon NC State's players in front of a crowd that was filled pre- dominantly with those donning red and white, the impact of the season is likely to be felt for years to come. Phillip, who finished as the Division I leader with 19 goals, said the program's future is bright. "I have one more year," said Phillip, who turned down Major League Soc- cer after last season and is likely to be selected in the upcoming MLS Super- Draft. "I'm really feeling for those se- niors and those guys that ended a little short. But they know they're going to leave the program in a better place. I feel like there's only up from here." Hubbard turned a team that had missed four consecutive NCAA Tourna- ments before his arrival into a national contender on a dime. It was a quick yet intentional process, one that the veteran coach expected after doing the same at Division II Southern New Hampshire and UNH in his first 16 seasons. Still, the execution at NC State was impres- sive. The program made a leap most couldn't have dreamed of before his ar- rival in Raleigh, and he did it in the blink of an eye. Healy found immense joy in the un- dertaking. "It's special to be a part of the cul- ture," he said, "and to put the program back where it belongs." Back To Work NC State's climb to the precipice of a championship was difficult, requiring a near total roster overhaul. This year's squad included only six players who were on the team when Hubbard arrived in December 2023. The next endeavor could be even more taxing. "We want to make men's soccer a prominent sport within the university and the ACC, the top soccer conference in the country," Hubbard said. "It's a school and a fan base that deserves that, and I think we're there. But it's not go- ing to get any easier for us. "I think when we take over a program and we're rising, it's easier to change that culture quicker. When we get to the top and there's only a little bit more, that's the hardest piece because you have to continue to sustain it know- ing that some of the guys had that suc- cess. Finding ways to hold these guys accountable to do the little work ev- ery single day that adds up into these moments to get back here is a big chal- lenge." On the heels of this year's 16-3-4 finish, which included a 10-3-3 mark in ACC play, there's a lot of work to be done to prepare for another run at the College Cup. Hubbard and his staff are likely to attack the transfer portal, which was critical to building a champi- onship-level roster this fall, and they're also focused on developing the young talent already on campus. In the meantime, NC State will reflect on what it was able to accomplish in such a short period of time. The Wolf- pack did a bit of that during the over- time replay review, but similar moments are likely to occur in the months ahead. "I couldn't be prouder of the group of individuals that we have in that locker room and what they've done this year," Hubbard said. "The sun will come up tomorrow. We've got to get back to work and move on." ■ " It's special to be a part of the culture and to put the program back where it belongs." Senior Midfielder Taig Healy