Washington Wins NCAA Men’s Soccer Title in Thrilling Overtime Upset

In a stunning turn of events, the unseeded Washington Huskies claimed their first NCAA men’s soccer championship title by defeating No. 15 NC State 3-2 in overtime on Monday night. The Huskies’ remarkable journey to the top was marked by a series of dramatic comebacks and victories, culminating in a nail-biting finale that will be remembered for years to come.

Game-Changing Moment

The decisive moment came when junior Harrison Bertos scored the golden goal just 1 minute and 45 seconds into overtime, securing the Huskies’ first-ever men’s soccer title. Bertos’ incredible strike was set up by a precise pass from Egor Akulov, who found his teammate in the perfect position to seal the win.

Back-and-Forth Thriller

The match was a true thriller, with both teams trading goals and momentum throughout the 90 minutes of regulation. The Huskies took an early lead through Zach Ramsey’s unassisted goal in the 44th minute, only to see NC State tie the score with two goals in the final 25 minutes. Joe Dale’s goal in the 62nd minute had given the Huskies a 2-0 lead, but the Wolfpack’s determination and resilience ultimately paid off.

Washington’s Journey to the Top

The Huskies’ path to the championship was nothing short of remarkable, featuring four road victories and a series of come-from-behind wins. Their semifinal victory over No. 16 Furman in Cary, N.C. set the stage for the title match, where they faced off against a determined NC State team.

Historic Moment for Washington

Washington’s championship win marks a historic moment for the program, which had previously appeared in the title game twice in the last five seasons. The Huskies’ victory also cemented their status as the second team to reach the College Cup after four road victories, joining the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) as the only other team to achieve this feat.

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