Clemson Welcomes North Carolina in Top-Five Matchup

Match Central

CLEMSON, S.C. — The third-ranked Clemson Tigers (5-1, 3-1 ACC) will welcome the fifth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels (2-1, 2-1 ACC) to Historic Riggs Field on Tuesday, Oct. 27 for the Tigers’ final home match of the season. The match is set to kickoff at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ACCN. 

The Tigers and Tar Heels will meet for the 64th time in series history on Tuesday, with Clemson holding a 29-28-6 record through the first 63 meetings. Clemson holds a 4-3-3 record against the Tar Heels in matches played at home during the month of October. Clemson has outscored North Carolina 129-97 through the series thus far. Clemson’s 129 goals are the third-most against a single opponent in program history.

The two sides met earlier in the 2020 season in Chapel Hill, N.C., with the Tar Heels scoring at the 89:59 mark to earn a 1-0 victory. The match was Clemson’s first ACC contest of the season. Tuesday’s match will be just the 12th time in series history that the two teams meet multiple times in the same season and is set to be the first top-five matchup in series history. 

Clemson returns to the field after earning a 1-0 victory against NC State on Friday, Oct. 23. Grayson Barber notched his first goal of the season and the fifth game-winning goal of his career in the match. George Marks, a native of Raleigh, N.C., earned his first solo shutout of the season while making four saves.

In the match against the Wolfpack, Mike Noonan earned his 10th all-time victory against NC State and his 70th victory at Clemson when ranked higher than his opponent. Clemson’s victory also served as Noonan’s 20th victory at Clemson when his team scores one goal and wins. 

As a team, Clemson currently ranks within the top-five nationally of nine categories. Clemson has four individuals ranked within the top five of seven categories. Marks ranks third in goals against average (0.564) and shutout percentage (0.833), while also ranking fifth in goalkeeper minutes played (480). James Brighton ranks second nationally in shot accuracy (0.727).

Historic Riggs Field Operations

When the Tigers take to Historic Riggs Field this season, one of the most revered venues in all of college soccer will have a new feel to it. We ask that all fans please adhere to the following safety protocols put in place to ensure the well-being of all fans and participants.

• Please refrain from coming to any Clemson sporting event if you feel sick or are experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus.
• A capacity of 1,000 spectators will be enforced at Historic Riggs Field. Patrons must wear a face covering at all times unless eating or drinking. 
• There will be no formal ticketing for the 2020 season. All seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. All points of entry to Historic Riggs Field will be available.
• Individuals must sit in a chairback and are not permitted to move the chairback at any point in the match.
• There will be no access to the field permitted prior to, during, or after any match. 
• Seats will be available in pods of four with a six-foot radius around each pod. Please refrain from sitting in groups larger than four.
• The first three rows of seats have been blocked off to ensure safety for fans and participants. Please do not sit, or attempt to enter, this area of the stands.
• Drinks and pre-packaged snacks will be available at the outdoor concession stand.
• Restrooms will be available for all fans. Hand sanitizers will also be strategically placed around the facility.