Higgins, Pratapas are excited for new era in NC State women's soccer

Gary Higgins was hired in December to take over NC State’s women’s soccer program. Originally from Paisley, Scotland, Higgins spent his college career at Lenoir-Rhyne and was named Honorable Mention All-American in 2007.

Higgins began his coaching career with assistant stints at Lenior-Rhyne and Tusculum before moving back to his alma mater as head coach. In his seven seasons at the helm, he became the winningest coach in program history (83-31-13) and led the Bears to the NCAA Division II Semifinals (Final Four) in 2021.

From Lenior-Rhyne in Hickory, North Carolina, Higgins then moved to Greenville to take charge of the East Carolina women’s soccer program and success followed him across the state. In 2024, the Pirates won the American Athletic Conference championship and appeared in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. 

Olivia Prapatas will be one of NC State’s two captains (the other is Brooklyn Holt) this season. Since transferring to Raleigh in 2023 following a two-season stint at Louisville, the native of Clemmons, North Carolina, has started in 31 of 33 games for the Wolfpack. 

Prapatas and Higgins spoke to Rob McLamb of Inside Pack Sports recently as the Wolfpack, fresh off an exhibition matchup in Lynchburg, Virginia, against Liberty University, braces for its 2025 season opener at home versus James Madison on Thursday, August 14 (7 p.m.).

Click the video links above to hear from Higgins and Prapatas!