A Milestone for the Wolfpack
The 2026 women's soccer season kicks off on August 12 when the NC State Wolfpack head to Sentara Park to meet the James Madison Dukes. The game marks the first of two road fixtures in Virginia for the Wolfpack, with a second showdown against VCU scheduled for August 16.
Head coach Gary Higgins is chasing his sixth win of the season, a milestone that would bring his career total to 116 victories and represent the program's third all‑time win over the Dukes. Higgins has guided the team through a dramatic turnaround after a 5‑9‑4 record in 2025, a season that featured a six‑match unbeaten streak in ACC play and an upset of No. 12 Wake Forest.
That unbeaten streak, which tied the 2017 squad’s longest conference run, culminated in a victory over a ranked opponent for the first time since 2021. The Wolfpack finished the previous campaign with a 4‑4‑2 record in ACC play, keeping them in contention for the ACC Championship despite a modest overall record.
James Madison arrives in Charlottesville bolstered by reigning Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year Ginny Lackey, who tallied 11 goals, six assists and 28 points in 2025. The Dukes finished 9‑4‑6 last year, captured the No. 5 seed in the Sun Belt Championship and advanced to the conference quarterfinals before falling to Texas State in penalty kicks.
The series history between the two programs is evenly split at 2‑2, with no draws in their meetings. James Madison posted a 3‑0 victory over NC State in the 2025 season opener in Raleigh, giving the Wolfpack an opportunity to even the score in Wednesday's rematch. A win would mark NC State's first triumph over the Dukes since 2001 and snap a 24‑year winless streak in season‑opening matches.
Beyond the rivalry, the matchup offers the Wolfpack a chance to build momentum for a season that promises to be defined by resilience and growth. With a strong ACC turnaround and a talented roster led by Higgins, NC State hopes to translate early‑season optimism into a sustained push for conference contention.