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Nov 10, 2021

Five Tigers Garner All-ACC Honors

CLEMSON, S.C. — Five members of Clemson’s men’s soccer team were recognized as All-ACC performers en route to the team’s third consecutive Atlantic Division title, the conference announced on Wednesday morning. Oskar Ågren was the lone Tiger named to the first team, while George Marks, Hamady Diop and Ousmane Sylla found themselves on the second team. Quinn McNeill, who has scored in each of the team’s last three games, was placed on the third team. Clemson’s five honorees is second-most for any team in the ACC.

Ågren improved upon last year’s recognition, when he was named to the All-ACC second team in his sophomore campaign. He has been a steady force on Clemson’s back line all season, leading the Tigers’ defense to the fewest goals allowed in the ACC during the regular season (14). Ågren stepped up his game yet another notch in the lead-up to post-season play, resulting in him earning the ACC co-Defensive Player of the Week honor for Oct. 26-Nov. 2. The Swede plays a crucial role in securing each of the team’s seven shutouts. He also contributed on the offensive end, knocking in four goals and notching an assist in route to his first team nod.

Marks climbed up Clemson’s all-time leaderboards on his way to the All-ACC second team, securing six solo clean sheets this season, giving him 19 career shutouts. That mark is good for a tie for third in the Clemson record book. He has allowed just 15 goals in 17 games and made 56 saves in the process, pushing his career total to 164. His 44 career wins is tied for third-most in Clemson history. Twice this season Marks has been recognized as the ACC Defensive Player of the Week for his role in keeping the defense organized and the ball out of the Tigers’ net.

Diop and Sylla were each on the conference’s 2020-21 All-freshman team, and this year made the leap to the All-ACC second team. Diop has played alongside Ågren in the center back role and done brilliantly to keep opposing offenses at bay. He has also added three goals and three assists on the offensive end. Sylla has been wonderful in the attacking midfield, often seen attacking opponent’s with his incredibly footwork and finding key passes that lead to crucial goals. Most recently, he assisted on Isaiah Reid’s equalizer against North Carolina in the ACC Quarterfinal, pushing his team totals to five goals and five assists.

McNeill has stepped up marvelously in recent weeks, scoring three of his four goals in the last three matches. Most notably, he headed in the game-winner on Sunday against UNC off a gorgeous Charlie Asensio cross. He plays a crucial role in the midfield and has tallied four assists as one of the team’s key distributors. For his efforts, he was named ACC Offensive Player of the Week for the week of Oct. 26-Nov. 2 in which he picked up five points.

This marks the Tigers third consecutive season in which they’ve had at least five players receive all-conference recognition, and the fifth such season under Head Coach Mike Noonan. Clemson has not had three consecutive seasons with at least five all-conference players since 1980-82.

The Tigers return to action on Wednesday night against Duke at Historic Riggs Field in the ACC Semifinals. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the match will be broadcast on ACC Network.

For all the most up-to-date information regarding Clemson men’s soccer, please visit ClemsonTigers.com and follow @ClemsonMSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.

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