Match Central
CLEMSON, S.C. — The third-ranked Clemson men’s soccer team (2-0) is set to travel to Chapel Hill, N.C., to contest its first ACC match of the season against the North Carolina Tar Heels (1-0, 1-0 ACC). The match will be played at Dorrance Field on Friday, Oct. 9, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. Friday’s match will be the 63rd all-time meeting between the two sides, with Clemson holding a 29-27-6 advantage in the series. Clemson returns to play after winning its home opener over the UAB Blazers on Oct. 5 by a 2-0 margin.
With Clemson ranked third for the second-consecutive week, Friday’s match will be the fourth meeting between the two sides when Clemson is ranked third nationally and North Carolina is unranked. The Tigers are 2-1 against the Tar Heels in the previous three matches.
The Tigers embark on their 2020 ACC campaign after being named the 2019 ACC Regular Season Champions. Last season’s squad posted a 6-1-1 record against conference opponents while also advancing to the finals of the ACC Tournament. At the end of last season, Clemson ranked atop the conference in nine statistical categories as a team and was within the top five of eight additional.
Despite it being early in the season, Friday’s match will see two of the nation’s best defenses meet on the pitch. Clemson and North Carolina are the only two teams who have played at least one match this season and have yet to allow a goal. North Carolina’s Alec Smir was named United Soccer Coaches Player of the Week on Oct. 6 after posting three saves in the Tar Heels’ 2-0 victory over Duke on Friday, Oct. 2.
Following a 2019 season which saw Clemson rank atop the nation in numerous offensive categories, the Tigers have displayed a strong prowess in the attacking third through their opening two matches this year. Clemson leads the nation in shots per game (24.5) and shots on goal per game (10.5), while Grayson Barber leads the nation in shots per game (4.5) and is tied for the nation-leading mark in shots on goal per game (2.5).
Friday’s match will be broadcasted on ESPNU with Dalen Cuff and Charlie Davies on the call. Live stats are available here and be sure to follow @ClemsonMSoccer on Twitter for all of the most up-to-date information regarding Clemson’s men’s soccer team.
