Panthers Fall to Clemson in ACC Championship Final

Sunday, November 22

Cary, N.C.

12 p.m.

Pitt

7-1-0, 4-0-0

Clemson

8-2-1, 3-2-1

Clemson

Pittsburgh

Photo by: Andy Mead

Panthers Fall to Clemson in ACC Championship Final

11/22/2020 3:11:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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CARY, N.C. – The No. 1 University of Pittsburgh men's soccer team fell to No. 2 Clemson, 2-1, in the ACC Championship Final Sunday afternoon at WakeMed Soccer Park.

News & Notes

Sophomore Valentin Noel scored in his sixth consecutive game, extending his school record streak. His goal in the 46^th minute was the eighth of the season and is now tied for first in the country with Clemson's Kimarni Smith.
The runner-up placement is the highest finish in program history in the ACC Championship Tournament.
Graduate student goalkeeper Nico Campuzano, Noel and sophomore Veljko Petkovic were named to the All-ACC Tournament Team.

Clemson scored the first goal of the game in the 13^th minute, as Mohamend Seye took a cross from Callum Johnson from the right side and one-timed the ball with his right foot into the back of the net. The goal marked the first time all season the Panthers trailed at any point in a game.

A minute later, Noel gave the Panthers the first opportunity to score inside the box, but Tiger goalkeeper George Marks made a diving save on the ball.

Clemson led, 9-3, in shots and 3-1 in corner kicks at the half. Campuzano tallied five saves in the first half, the most in a half for the goalkeeper this season.

Pitt tied the game up quickly into the second half, as Noel scored his eighth goal of the season. Junior Jackson Walti fed Noel on a long ball to the left side of the six-yard box, who gathered himself and used his right foot to sneak the ball inside the far post for the score. The goal was Noel's second of the tournament, while Walti's assist was his third point of the tourney (1 goal, 1 assist).

The Tigers regained the lead in the 71^st minute, as Peyton Barber found James Brighton inside the box for a header to the right side of the net. The Panthers were only able to record one shot after the 71^st minute goal.

Pitt finished the game with seven shots, including five shots on goal, while Clemson tallied 14 shots and nine shots on goal. The Tigers finished the game ahead in corner kicks, 6-3. Campuzano registered a career-high seven saves in a complete-game effort.

The Panthers will resume competition in the spring, with its next opponent to be determined. The NCAA announced that the 2021 spring soccer season may start February 3.

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