The Charlotte 49ers fell to the NC State Wolfpack on a golden goal in the second overtime period of the first round of the NCAA Tournament, 2-1.

The match in Raleigh, N.C., was scoreless for the first 85 minutes before N.C. State broke the deadlock with a goal. That would not be enough to win it though as Abubacarr Fofana forced overtime with an 89th-minute goal. The Wolfpack finally got the result in the third minute of the second overtime (103rd minute). In the second half and the extra periods, N.C. State outshot Charlotte, 12-4. The final shot tally was 18-9, in favor of the Wolfpack.

The Wolfpack Nation thought they had won the game when an N.C. State forward broke free in the box in the 86th minute. However, the Niners' season was not destined to end in 90 minutes as Fofana provided the equalizer with just 64 seconds remaining in regulation. With the season on the line and even goalkeeper Leonard Stritter attacking in the box, Luke Husakiwsky sent in a corner that eventually found Fofana. The Farra Fenni, Gambia, native directed the shot towards the bottom left of the goal, and past the keeper, to tie the match at 1-1.

N.C. State utilized a long ball throw-in that reached just outside the six-yard box to score the game-winner. The ball was flicked on twice from the near post before finding the back of the net.

Charlotte had a couple of chances to decide the game in 90 minutes. The first great look came from Jaedon Richardson late in the first half. The freshman from Mamaroneck, N.Y., showed off his fantastic dribbling and placed a shot in the top right corner but it was saved by the Wolfpack keeper in the 41st minute. In the 42nd minute, Natsuki Ogata had a good look from just outside the box, but his curled shot could not find the frame.

In the 85th minute, before the Wolfpack goal, Charlotte executed the build-up play perfectly but could not put a shot attempt on the scoreboard. A beautiful backtap from Brigham Larsen found Chris Dommer, resulting in a three-on-three race into the final third. Heading for the box, Dommer dribbled past a sliding defender, but he could not get past the final defender as the Wolfpack took possession and avoided further danger.

The Niners attempted one shot in overtime, which came in the fifth minute of the first period. Ryan Dunn feinted left and then dribbled past two defenders, but he could not get the shot on target.

Defensively, the 49ers made more than enough plays to force overtime. Stritter faced 18 shots and earned three saves. In the 66th minute, he made a crucial save on an N.C. State shot attempt that resembled more "missile," than volley.