Saint Louis vs. NC State: How to Watch the Men’s College Cup Semifinal

The 2025 Men’s College Cup reaches a thrilling stage as Saint Louis University and NC State prepare to face off in one of the national semifinal matchups. Both teams earned their spots through dramatic wins in the NCAA tournament and now head to Cary, North Carolina, for a chance to play for a national title.

Date: Friday, Dec. 12
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
TV and streaming: ESPNU and WatchESPN
Location: First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina

Road to the Men’s College Cup semifinals

No. 15 North Carolina State faces Saint Louis. Two programs prepare for their first Men’s College Cup in the twenty-first century. This is the Wolfpack’s fifth encounter with the Billikens, and the first since 2007.

Here is a breakdown of how they got to Cary.

No. 15 North Carolina State (15-2-4)

NC State has had a historic season thus far, reaching the Men’s College Cup for the first time in 35 years and only the second time in program history.

The Wolfpack reacted with authority after losing in the second round of the ACC tournament to Syracuse, their only second setback of the season, just days before the NCAA tournament. After obtaining a first-round bye, they defeated Marshall and UNC Greensboro 2-0 in the second and third rounds, respectively, before defeating No. 7 Georgetown 3-2 in the quarterfinals.

The game against the Hoyas rapidly became a high-scoring battle, with all five goals coming in the first 37 minutes of play – three in the span of three minutes. However, the flow slowed from there, as neither team scored for the remainder of the game.

NC State’s 15th victory of the season was its most in a single season since 1990, when the program last advanced to the national semifinals.

A victory on Friday would advance the Wolfpack to their first Men’s College Cup final.

Saint Louis (13–2–8)

The Billikens had a remarkable journey to Cary, earning their 17th College Cup berth and first since 1997.

So, why was their postseason adventure so memorable? None of their four victories involved more than one goal.

Saint Louis defeated Kentucky 2-1 in the first round, No. 6 Indiana 1-0, and No. 11 Bryant in a penalty shootout. After a 2-2 tie in regulation, both sides went scoreless in two overtimes, leading a shootout. Goalkeeper Jeremi Abonnel made the game-winning save, propelling the Billikens to the quarterfinals.

They went on to defeat No. 14 Akron 3-2, rallying from a two-goal deficit in the first half to score three straight goals, extending their unbeaten record to 14 games.

A semifinal victory over NC State would advance Saint Louis to the finals for the first time since 1974.

Road to the Final

The winners of Friday’s semifinals — Saint Louis vs. NC State and Washington vs. Furman — will meet in the 2025 Men’s College Cup National Championship on Monday, December 15, at 7 p.m. ET, also on ESPNU.