Haley ONeill

Sports coverage writing samples for collegiate and professional leagues

Technician •

NC State volleyball takes down Liberty 3-1 in regular season home opener

In its first match in 10 days, NC State volleyball secured a 3-1 win over Liberty on Wednesday at Reynolds Coliseum. After taking the first two sets, NC State dropped the third but rallied back to take the fourth to win its regular season home opener.
The Wolfpack (2-2) fought hard, almost winning three straight sets, but came up just short of the sweep in the third set, losing 26-24. With the third set consisting of no more than a three-point gap at any given time, it came down to an attack err...
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NC State women’s soccer gives up late goal in 2-1 loss to Boston College

NC State women’s soccer head coach Tim Santoro could only muster one word after his team’s 2-1 loss to Boston College.
“Disappointed,” Santoro said.
After a chance to win or at least earn a draw late in a heated ACC clash, the Wolfpack conceded another game-deciding second-half goal in a close loss to the Eagles at Dail Soccer Stadium.
The Wolfpack (3-8-2, 0-4-1 ACC) came in conceding four combined second-half goals in its past three games. Tonight, the red-and-white gave up a goal in the 77th m...
Technician •

Blues shut out Hurricanes on Hall of Fame Night

The Carolina Hurricanes couldn’t keep up with the St. Louis Blues, letting off the gas in the second period and allowing all three Blues goals in the middle frame.
The Canes (28-15-4), in their first meeting of the season against the Blues (18-21-8), were unable to find the back of the net and were shut out 3-0. Goaltender Joel Hofer, making a total of 33 saves, recorded his fourth shutout, tying two other goaltenders atop the NHL leaderboard.
With little action in the first, the Blues came out...
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Hurricanes extend losing streak after falling 5-3 to Colorado

The Carolina Hurricanes entered the third period with two goals in hand but allowed the Colorado Avalanche to score four unanswered goals, dropping the sixth of their last eight games.
The Canes (24-14-3) and Avalanche (31-2-7), each sporting their retro jerseys for the second time this season, had a back-and-forth 60 minutes of hockey. After two periods holding off the league’s first-place team, Carolina couldn’t keep the momentum going in the final period, blowing another multi-goal lead in a...
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Late overtime goal lifts Hurricanes past Rangers, 3-2

With the season series tied at one apiece, the Carolina Hurricanes came from behind twice, taking the New York Rangers to overtime where they locked in the win with just 13 seconds remaining.
The Canes (24-11-3) had a slow but physical start against the Rangers (19-17-5), and eventually found their footing in the final period. With each team scoring two goals in regulation, it was Carolina who found the back of the net one more time and took home the win, 3-2.
After being struck by an attempted...
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Hurricanes lose third-consecutive game after holding 2-0 lead

The Carolina Hurricanes blew a multi-goal lead for the third-consecutive game, and after being up two, allowed their opponent to score five unanswered goals in the final period.
Having fallen short in the two previous games where they blew the lead, the Canes (22-11-3) hosted the Florida Panthers (20-14-2) just four days after playing them in Sunrise. In this rematch, the Hurricanes came out strong, but lost their momentum and confidence in the third period, allowing five goals.
Letting the Hurr...
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Hurricanes move to 2-0 in season series against Predators

After losing winger Jordan Martinook in the second period, the Carolina Hurricanes had to lean on its depth, and the response helped them power to a 4-1 win.
The Canes (22-9-2) took the ice against the Nashville Predators (13-16-4), holding possession for the majority of the game and coming out on top with the win. Though Carolina left chances on the table, its limited conversions still were enough to seal the result.
Early in the third period on the man advantage, the puck was passed deep in th...
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Hurricanes defeat Flyers with third-straight shootout win

Securing their second shootout win versus Philadelphia in two nights, the Hurricanes took down the Flyers 3-2, this time on their home ice.
The Carolina Hurricanes (21-9-2) suited up against the Philadelphia Flyers (16-9-6) for the second night in a row, making the trip back from Philadelphia to host an early evening matchup. With its third-straight game heading to a shootout, Carolina once again came out victorious. Goaltender Brandon Bussi led the charge, tying Canes legend Cam Ward for the lo...
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Hurricanes cut two-goal deficit, win 4-3 against Flyers

After a slow start, the Carolina Hurricanes shifted the tempo halfway through the second period, sparking a two-goal comeback and earning a shootout win to move into first place in the Eastern Conference.
The Canes (20-9-2), allowing the first half of the game to be dictated by the Philadelphia Flyers (16-9-5), flipped the script in the second period, proving their ability to adjust. With multiple game-tying goals, 65 minutes wasn’t enough time to declare a winner. The Canes earned the shootout...
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Bussi makes history as Hurricanes top Blue Jackets 4-1

With 23 saves and a .958 save percentage, Canes goaltender Brandon Bussi became the fifth goalie in NHL history to record nine wins in the first 10 games of his career.
The Carolina Hurricanes (18-9-2) had a slow start before they picked up the pace and came out on top with a 4-1 defeat against the Columbus Blue Jackets (13-11-6). Prior to the game, the 2006 championship players, coaches and staff were brought out on the ice to hoist the Stanley Cup in honor of the 20th anniversary of their cham...
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Hurricanes fall to Sharks 4-1, spoil 20th anniversary celebration

The Carolina Hurricanes skated through two sluggish periods, looking drained from a third game in four days. By the time they gained life in the third, it was too late for a comeback.
The Canes (17-9-2), celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 2006 Stanley Cup victory, came up short 4-1 to the San Jose Sharks (14-13-3). With the members of the Stanley Cup-winning team in the stands, the current roster couldn’t deliver.
“I remember that series like it was yesterday,” said winger Jordan Martinoo...
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Eleven Hurricanes’ players tally a point in 6-3 win over Nashville

Showing a level of urgency that isn’t always present, the Carolina Hurricanes controlled the pace, nearly doubling the shots on goal as their opponent, and capitalizing twice on the power play.
The Canes (17-8-2) came out of the gate firing shot after shot at goaltender Juuse Saros, earning a 6-3 win against the Nashville Predators (10-14-4). Wingers Jackson Blake and Nikolaj Ehlers had standout nights, securing three points apiece — Ehler’s first three-point game with the Hurricanes — showcasin...
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Hurricanes fall 5-1 as Andersen drops sixth-straight start

Goaltender Frederik Andersen endured another rough outing, losing his sixth game in a row, with his last win dating back to Nov. 6. The offense offered little help, unable to capitalize on a majority of the chances it received.
The Carolina Hurricanes (16-8-2) took a 5-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs (13-11-3), unable to conjure up any real offense. Goaltender Joseph Woll kept the Maple Leafs in the game for the first two periods, denying nearly all of the shots sent his way. Taking the spot b...
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Bussi shines with first career shutout in Canes’ win over Flames

Showing out with stellar saves throughout the game, goaltender Brandon Bussi recorded the first back-to-back start of his career and walked away with his first-ever shutout.
The Carolina Hurricanes (16-7-2) had a steady match against the Calgary Flames (9-14-4), ending with zero regulation goals and 15 shots on-goal each. With the ice opening up, the Canes found a way to sneak the puck past goaltender Devin Cooley just under three minutes into overtime, taking the win 1-0.
Both playing left wing...
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Rangers even season series against Hurricanes with 4-2 win

In their second outing without their captain, center Jordan Staal, the Carolina Hurricanes spent another night chasing the game, falling short in the end.
Although the Canes (14-7-2) shut out the Rangers (12-11-2) earlier in the season, they spent most of the match chasing the puck and the chances they needed to jump ahead. They had opportunities, but as their possession and pace faded throughout the game, the finishes never materialized.
Center Vincent Trocheck was exactly what the Rangers need...
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Star forward Bordeleau finishes record-breaking season for NC State women’s soccer

Junior forward Jade Bordeleau shattered multiple records for NC State women’s soccer during the 2025 season — and still has another season to raise the bar even higher.
This past season, the forward caught fire with 10 goals — becoming the first Wolfpack player since 2019 to hit double digits. Scoring in five straight games, she attained the program’s second-longest streak and the first of its kind this century. Also leading the team in shots, she put up an astounding 61 in total, not afraid to...
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Hurricanes close out road trip with 4-1 loss in Buffalo

Defensive-zone breakdowns cost the Carolina Hurricanes in a 4-1 road loss to a Buffalo Sabres team near the bottom of the Atlantic Division.
The Canes (14-6-2) surrendered three unanswered goals and were unable to knock the Sabres (9-9-4) off their game. After giving the home team an early power-play goal and a wide-open net multiple times, Carolina will look to regroup and change the tone for its upcoming home stretch.
Winger Jack Quinn positioned himself right in front of the goaltender just u...
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Hurricanes begin four-game road trip with 3-1 win over Boston

After holding the Bruins scoreless through the first two periods and into the final seconds, the Carolina Hurricanes came within 9.6 seconds of their second shutout of the season, but couldn’t close it out.
The Canes (12-5-1) set the tone for their road trip with a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins (12-8-0), a sharp contrast after falling short to them just 16 days earlier. Using that loss as a blueprint, Carolina tightened its lines, limited its opponents’ chances and set the pace.
The Hurricanes...
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Hurricanes score three unanswered goals to secure comeback win over Maple Leafs

A four-game win streak in jeopardy.
With just minutes left in the second period, the Carolina Hurricanes found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard against a middling Toronto Maple Leafs squad. With its back against the wall, the Carolina offense dominated, scoring its first of three unanswered goals before the period ended and dominating the third, securing a 5-4 comeback victory.
The Hurricanes (11-4-0) suffocated the Maple Leafs (8-7-1), keeping them in their defensive zone for the e...
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Kochetkov shines with shutout in season debut

The Canes find themselves 4-0 in the Metropolitan Division with goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov making an astounding 25 saves, handing the Rangers their fourth shutout of the year.
The Hurricanes (7-4-0) divvied up their scoring, tallying one goal per period against the New York Rangers (6-5-2), leaving Madison Square Garden with a 3-0 win on their shoulders. Many Canes players showed out and made it a memorable night for all, especially winger Nikolaj Ehlers.
Not only scoring the game-winning goal,...
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No. 9 NC State men’s soccer allows late Syracuse goal, lets victory slip away

NC State men’s soccer closed the season with a draw against Syracuse after allowing a late goal in the 80th minute that tied the match, solidifying the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament.
A rough, back-and-forth 90 minutes saw a total of 23 fouls and momentum changes from both teams. NC State men’s soccer (11-4-1, 4-1-3 ACC) settled for a 1-1 draw against the Syracuse Orange (7-6-3, 4-3-1 ACC). Each side finally got its feet under it in the second half, both tallying a goal in the final 45...
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Golden Knights dominate Hurricanes for second time in eight days

After getting humbled by Vegas just eight days ago, the Hurricanes suited up knowing what they were in for this time. The home advantage was not enough to stop Vegas from doing it again, except this time in front of all of the Caniacs.
The Carolina Hurricanes (6-3-0) hosted the Vegas Golden Knights (6-1-3), ready to even out the series 1-1. They came out with power and speed, striking first, but lost all momentum by the third period, allowing four unanswered goals. In the end, they lost 6-3, mis...
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Hurricanes allow three unanswered goals, lose 3-2 to Stars

Facing Stars winger Mikko Rantanen for the first time since trading him away, the Hurricanes fell 3-2 after letting up three unanswered goals, with Rantanen assisting on two.
The Carolina Hurricanes (6-2-0) went into the start of the game against the Dallas Stars (4-3-1) hot and entered the second period with two goals in hand. Dallas had a change in momentum and took it all from its opponent, shutting them out for the rest of the game. The Canes couldn’t find a way to stop the Stars, losing 3-2...
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Hurricanes take down Avalanche, former teammates 5-4

The Carolina Hurricanes took the second point from the Colorado Avalanche, coming out on top 5-4 in its first shootout of the season.
The Canes (6-1-0) and the Avalanche (5-0-3) went head-to-head in their respective retro jerseys for the first time in NHL history, with Carolina sporting Hartford Whalers jerseys, while Colorado rocked the Quebec Nordiques threads.
The Canes got ahead early, but couldn’t hold back the advances of the Avalanche. Colorado came back after being down three with a trif...
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