No. 4 Clemson Hosts No. 1 Pittsburgh to Determine ACC’s NCAA Automatic Qualifier

Match Central

CLEMSON, S.C. — The No. 4 Clemson men’s soccer team will welcome the top-ranked Pittsburgh to Historic Riggs Field as the two sides are set to meet on Saturday, April 17 at 7 p.m. for a chance to win the ACC’s automatic bid into the 2020 NCAA Tournament. Attendance is free for the 1,000 permitted spectators at Historic Riggs Field, and face coverings must be worn at all times unless eating or drinking. The top-5 match is set to be broadcast on ACCN starting at 7 p.m. as Dalen Cuff and Angela Hucles call the action.

Saturday’s match will feature the winners of the ACC’s Atlantic and Coastal Divisions from the 2020-21 season. Clemson earned the right to host this match after winning the 2020 ACC Championship. Since a team must be deemed the winner of Saturday’s match, penalty kicks will be utilized if the match is tied after double-overtime. The men’s 2020 NCAA Tournament selection show will take place on Monday, April 19 at noon on NCAA.com.

The opening six matches of the series have seen Clemson consistently find success against the Panthers, as the Tigers and Head Coach Mike Noonan hold a 5-1-0 record. Clemson has been able to shutout the Panthers on four occasions, while the Tigers have scored in each match of the series. Clemson’s lone loss to Pittsburgh came on Oct. 5, 2018, when the Panthers won at home in double-overtime, 2-1.

The most memorable match in the series occurred when the two sides played for the 2020 ACC Championship on Nov. 22, 2020, in Cary, N.C. For the second consecutive year, the conference final featured the nation’s top two teams, as No. 2 Clemson and No. 1 Pittsburgh took the pitch at WakeMed Soccer Park. Behind goals from Mohamed Seye and James Brighton, Clemson captured its 15th ACC Championship and fourth ACC Tournament title as a result of the 2-1 scoreline. The win also gave Clemson its 10th all-time win, and its second of the season, against the nation’s No. 1 team.

Saturday’s contest will be at no loss for quality on the field, as Clemson and Pittsburgh combined to have 18 players garner ACC honors earlier this week. Clemson placed seven players amongst the league’s All-ACC Teams and had two members of the All-Freshman Team. 

Earlier in the week, United Soccer Coaches tabbed Pittsburgh as the nation’s top-ranked team for the second consecutive week. In the same poll, Clemson slotted into the fourth position. Following the release of this week’s Spring Top 25 rankings, Clemson has been ranked within the top-5 nationally for 16 of the 17 weeks of the 2020-21 season.

For all of the most up-to-date information regarding Clemson men’s soccer, be sure to reference clemsontigers.com and follow @ClemsonMSoccer on Twitter.

Historic Riggs Field Social Distancing & Operations

The 2021 spring season will see Historic Riggs Field operate under the same guidelines enforced during the fall. 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 2021 season. All seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. All points of entry to Historic Riggs Field will be available.
• 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.
• There will be no access to the field permitted prior to, during, or after any match. 
• 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.