Noonan Named NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year

CLEMSON, S.C. – One day after leading his No. 2 National Seed Clemson men’s soccer team to a berth in the NCAA Elite Eight with a 3-2 victory over UC Santa Barbara, Head Coach Mike Noonan was named the NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year for the South Region for 2015. Noonan’s Tigers are 17-2-2 on the season and have reached the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time in 10 seasons, and just the 13^th time in program history.

Noonan coached a total of seven players to All-ACC recognition in 2015, including ACC Midfielder of the Year Paul Clowes and ACC Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Fisher. T.J. Casner and Andrew Tarbell also earned First Team All-ACC honors, while Iman Mafi and Oliver Shannon were named to the all-conference third team and Patrick Bunk-Andersen was on the ACC All-Freshman Team.

The Clemson team ranks in the top three in the nation in six offensive categories in 2015 – first in assists per game (2.29), second in total assists (48), points per game (7.14) and scoring offense (2.43) and third in total goals (51) and total points (150).

Since his first season with the Tigers in 2010, Noonan has helped put the program back on the national scene, going from eight wins or less in 2010, 2011 and 2012, to 11 wins in 2013, 12 in 2014 and 17 so far this season. In addition, the team has earned an NCAA Tournament berth each of the last three seasons, reaching the first round in 2013, the Sweet 16 in 2014 and at least the Elite Eight this season.

Noonan’s Tigers host No. 10 National Seed Maryland in the NCAA Elite Eight this Friday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at Historic Riggs Field. Tickets are available for sale on ClemsonTigers.com.