Golden Goal Glory: Harrison Bertos Lifts Washington to First NCAA Men's Soccer Title

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CARY, NC — In a dramatic, back-and-forth final that delivered one of the most exciting conclusions in College Cup history, the Washington Huskies men’s soccer team claimed its first-ever national championship by defeating NC State 3-2 in a sudden-death overtime on Monday night.

The historic victory came courtesy of a golden goal from defender Harrison Bertos just minutes into the extra period, sending the Huskies into a frenzy after watching a commanding lead vanish in regulation.

The Gold Rush: Bertos Delivers History

The Huskies wasted no time in the sudden-death overtime period, generating immediate pressure that led to the decisive moment:

The Winning Sequence: Just 1:54 into overtime (92nd minute), Washington surged forward. After a frantic scramble and an initial shot by a teammate deflected in the box, the ball fell to Bertos. The junior defender jabbed the ball past NC State goalkeeper Logan Erb, and it rolled into the back of the net.
The Anxious Wait: The Washington celebration was immediately put on pause as the officials reviewed the play for a potential offside call. After a lengthy review, the goal was confirmed, handing Washington the 3-2 victory and the program’s first College Cup trophy.
Coach’s Shoutout: Head Coach Jamie Clark admitted he didn’t know who scored the winner until told by the broadcast, but instantly offered the team’s rallying cry: “We live by the Bertos, we die by the Bertos!”

NC State’s Valiant Comeback

The Huskies appeared to be cruising to victory after taking a comfortable two-goal lead in the second half, but the Wolfpack, playing close to home, staged a remarkable comeback to force overtime.

UW Takes Control: Washington built its lead with goals from Zach Ramsey in the 44th minute (capitalizing on a goalkeeper miscue) and Joe Dale in the 62nd minute, pushing the score to 2-0.
The Rally: NC State refused to break. Donavan Phillip, the ACC Offensive Player of the Year, pulled one back with an acrobatic finish in the 66th minute. Then, with the Huskies minutes away from the title, Taig Healy scored the equalizer in the 87th minute off a quick-passing sequence, tying the game at 2-2 and sending the College Cup Final to overtime.

The victory capped an improbable run for the Huskies (16-6-2), who played all six of their NCAA tournament games on the road, knocking off seeded opponents along the way before securing the program’s most cherished prize.