Men's Soccer Can't Rally Past Clemson, Falling 2-1 In ACC Quarterfinals

Sunday, November 7

Clemson, S.C.

8 PM

North Carolina

11-6-1, 4-4-0

Clemson (Quarterfinal)

13-4-0, 5-3-0

North Carolina

Clemson

Huddle

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

Men's Soccer Can't Rally Past Clemson, Falling 2-1 In ACC Quarterfinals

November 7, 2021 | Men's Soccer

Box Score FINAL RESULTS (.PDF)

CLEMSON, S.C. – North Carolina and Clemson competed in an even match-up until the Tigers were able to make the difference in the 76^th minute, scoring the game-winning goal to defeat UNC, 2-1, on Sunday night.

North Carolina's loss to Clemson in the quarterfinals of the ACC Championship brings its record to 11-6-1 (4-4 ACC), while Clemson improves to 13-4 (5-3 ACC).

Carolina was ranked No. 18 by United Soccer Coaches, No. 23 in the Top Drawer Soccer poll, and No. 24 by the College Soccer News poll this week after posting wins over No. 15 Loyola Marymount, No. 13 Virginia Tech, and No. 11 Notre Dame.

Both UNC and Clemson came out aggressively, tallying a combined 12 shots in the first half. Despite being outshot 7-5 in the first half, it was North Carolina's Santiago Herrera that found the back of the net first.

In the 20^th minute, Tim Schels drove the ball up the field before sending it over to Herrera who was able to get past Clemson's goalkeeper, George Marks, to put the Tar Heels up, 1-0.

Clemson responded with a goal of its own in the 37^th minute to tie the game, 1-1, before the half.

North Carolina was able to outshoot Clemson, 5-3, in the second half. Both teams recorded 10 shots on the game, but a goal in the 76^th minute by the Tigers led them into the ACC Championship semifinals over UNC.

The Tar Heels faced their first loss since October 15^th, when they saw a late rally from Louisville. During this time, UNC picked up four straight wins with three of them being against top-15 teams nationally.

After being eliminated from the ACC Championships, the Tar Heels will await their fate in the NCAA Tournament selections, set to take place on Monday, November 15^th at 1 p.m.

Notes:
• Tega Ikoba leads the team with six goals on the season. Cameron Fisher is close behind with five.
• Santiago Herrera gave the Tar Heels an early lead with his fifth goal of the season.
• UNC's record versus Clemson falls to 28-28-9.
• 10 of 12 of UNC's victories this season have been shutouts, putting them #4 in the nation for shutout percentage
• UNC is 11-6-1 this season and has out-shot its opponents by a margin of 275-101 through eighteen games.
• Tar Heels in the National Polls: Carolina is ranked No. 18 by United Soccer Coaches poll, No. 23 by the Top Drawer Soccer poll, and No. 24 by College Soccer News this week.