Bertos Delivers Overtime Winner as Washington Claims First Men’s College Cup Title

Dec 16, 2025 60 Views NCAA COLLEGE SOCCER

CARY, N.C. — Harrison Bertos scored just 1:54 into overtime to cap a dramatic comeback, lifting Washington to a 3-2 victory over North Carolina State on Monday night at First Horizon Stadium to win the NCAA Men’s College Cup.

The Huskies (16-6-2), an unseeded team entering the tournament, earned the program’s first national championship and made history by winning six road matches against six seeded opponents. Led by head coach Jamie Clark, Washington captured the title in its second appearance in the championship match, four years after falling to Clemson in the 2021 final.

No. 15 seed N.C. State (16-3-4), coached by Marc Hubbard, reached the College Cup final for the first time in program history and was seeking the school’s first national championship in any sport since the 1983 men’s basketball title.

Washington opened the scoring late in the first half when Zach Ramsey finished unassisted with 1:12 remaining before halftime, giving the Huskies a 1-0 lead at the break. It marked only the second time all season the Wolfpack trailed at halftime. Ramsey later added his second goal of the tournament early in the second half, finishing into an open net after N.C. State goalkeeper Logan Erb was unable to control the ball near the top of the box.

Richie Aman provided the service for Washington’s second goal, sending a cross into the middle that Joe Dale converted in the 62nd minute to extend the lead to 2-0.

N.C. State responded quickly. Donavan Phillip scored in the 66th minute, assisted by Nikola Markovic, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Phillip’s goal was his fourth of the tournament, as the Wolfpack entered the match 11-0-1 when he found the back of the net. Taig Healy then leveled the match with 3:28 remaining in regulation, finishing a buildup assisted by Justin Mclean and Calem Tommy.

In overtime, Egor Akulov set up Bertos for the decisive goal, sealing the championship for Washington.

Huskies goalkeeper Jadon Bowton, the lone remaining player from Washington’s 2021 finalist squad, recorded five saves. Erb finished with six saves for N.C. State, which had been the last team in the nation to concede a goal this season.

The championship match kicked off in frigid conditions, with temperatures at 28 degrees, as two programs met for the first time on college soccer’s biggest stage.