CLEMSON, S.C. - The No. 2 seeded Clemson Tigers scored two goals in the second half to force overtime, but ultimately dropped the 3-2 ACC Quarterfinals matchup to the No. 7 seeded North Carolina Tar Heels on Sunday afternoon at Historic Riggs Field. With the loss, Clemson fell to 13-3-2 on the year, while North Carolina improved to 9-2-6.
The Tigers outshot the Tar Heels, 17-10, with junior Ransford Gyan leading the way with seven. Duncan Wilson followed with three shots, including one on goal. Defensively, Gaizka Garcia finished the match with one save.
The Tar Heels held the offensive momentum throughout the first half. They took advantage of this with a corner kick to score the match’s first goal in the 20’. They doubled their lead in the 29’ after stealing the ball around midfield. A cross pass to the left side allowed North Carolina’s Bertil Hansen to two-touch the ball into the back of the net. The Tigers tallied four shots in the opening 45’, but were not able to score, as the Tar Heels held the 2-0 edge entering halftime.
The second half saw a shift in possession as Clemson went on the offensive attack. The Tigers got on the board in the 52’ after Clemson swung the ball from the left side of the field to the right. Gyan brought the ball up the field and made a dish to Remi Okunlola who crossed it to the far side of the net to an open Martin Bakken, who netted his third goal of the year.
Clemson leveled the match in the 70’ via a Gyan header for his team-leading 14th goal of the year. After Xander Sevian took the ball deep into the corner, he found Arthur Duquenne at the point. Duquenne put the ball in the air to make the cross that Gyan headed into the net to make it 2-2. Despite Clemson getting numerous other looks on goal, the Tigers didn’t capitalize, resulting in the first 10-minute sudden-death overtime.
Both teams tallied two shots in the first overtime period, but neither scored in the first 10. Six minutes into the second overtime, North Carolina was awarded a penalty kick after a foul inside the box was reviewed and confirmed. The Tar Heels converted the kick to seal the 3-2 win.
Up Next
The Tigers will await their NCAA Tournament seeding that will be decided on Monday, Nov. 16.