Washington defeated NC State 3-2 in the College Bowl final

NC State (16-2-4)

NC State held on for a 2-1 victory over St. Louis on Saturday, overcoming Billiken’s win. Dominating the game midway through the game, the Wolves survived a tense final 10 minutes after St. Louis won a free kick.

In the 69th minute, Donavan broke the Wolf Pack attack with a header from a clinical sequence involving Phillip Isaac Heffess and Calem Tommy. Tyge Healy quickly doubled the lead at 72-04 and scored another assist from Riley Moloney to put NC State up 2-0.

St. Louis found a lifeline in the 80th minute. After NC State’s Justin McLean was fouled in the penalty box, Quinten Blair stepped up and converted the free kick to cut the deficit to one.

Both goalkeepers were busy defensively. NC State’s Logan Erb made two crucial saves, stopping Jack DiMaria from scoring the tying goal in the 85th minute. St. Louis’ Jeremy Abonnel finished with four saves, holding Ibrahim Conde and Frankie DeFrancesco back-to-back to keep the Billikens within striking distance early in the second half.

Washington (15-6-2)

Behind a dominant performance by Charlie Kosakoff, Washington defeated Furman 3-1 in the semifinals to win the national title. The Huskies controlled the tempo from the opening whistle, beating the Paladins and testing the frame regularly.

Washington’s offense started late in the first half. In the 32nd minute of the game, Alex Hall’s pass was opened by Zach Ramsey. A constant threat throughout the game, Kosakoff doubled unassisted in the 40th minute to put the Huskies up 2-0 at halftime.

Furman was more aggressive in the second half, but Washington tied the game in the 86th minute. Asher Hestad, who came on as a late substitute, scored with Kosakoff’s surgery. Just over a minute later, Luke Hutzell scored twice on a pair of goals from Braden Dunham and Connor Dunnigan to break the game open for Furman, but the Paladins couldn’t find a way back.

Furman goaltender Ivan Horvath had a heroic performance in the loss, making eight saves and keeping his score respectable. His work was highlighted by four consecutive defensive tackles against Washington in the second half. Washington’s Jadon Boughton swung the momentum of the victory late in the first half with a key takedown on Wilfer Bustamante’s try.