Orange Advances to ACC Title Game with Win at No. 2 Clemson

Wednesday, November 11

Clemson, SC

7 pm

Syracuse University

12-5-3

Clemson

15-2-2

Team	1	2	Final F
Syracuse	1	1	2
Clemson	0	0	0

Photo by: Clemson Athletics

Orange Advances to ACC Title Game with Win at No. 2 Clemson

11/11/2015 10:07:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Syracuse will face Notre Dame in the championship match Sunday at 1 p.m.

CLEMSON, S.C. – No. 13/-- Syracuse will make its first appearance in the ACC Men's Soccer Tournament final after upsetting No. 2 Clemson, 2-0, at Riggs Field in the semifinals. Junior Ben Polk recorded both goals for the Orange as it registered its second win against a top-five ranked team in a span of four days.

"I'm very proud (of the team)," said Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre. "We've got the utmost respect for this Clemson team. It's an elite team so we needed something special tonight and we had a very special first goal. Then we showed an attitude and a willingness to put bodies and everything on the line to keep Clemson off the scoresheet. They have so many exciting attacking players. But I'm very proud and to continue this playoff run for a little longer is really fun."

The offenses pressed forward to start the game as the team's combined for four corner kicks in the first five minutes, but neither team could get off a shot. The Orange (12-5-3) took the lead in the 21st minute when junior Louis Cross played a free kick to Polk just out the box with his back to the goal. Polk settled the ball, turned and fired a shot into the back of the net to give Syracuse a 1-0 advantage.

Cross helped preserve the lead on Clemson's ensuing possession when he knocked away a Tigers' shot on the goal line. Polk had a chance to increase Syracuse's advantage in the 26th minute, but his volley off a cross from senior Noah Rhynhart went just wide. On the other end of the field, Diego Campos got behind the Orange defense, but his shot sailed over the crossbar. Clemson outshot Syracuse, 8-3, in the first half, but only one of its attempts were on frame.

Clemson (15-2-2) started the second half by drawing a yellow card on the Orange, earning a free kick from the right side. But junior Oyvind Alseth knocked the ball away before it made it into the box to end the scoring threat. The Tigers also missed an opportunity when Kyle Murphy made a run into the box, but his header when over the crossbar.

Syracuse extended its lead in the 58th minute. Junior Chris Nanco took a shot from the left side that was stopped by Clemson goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell. The ball went off Tarbell to Rhynhart on the right side. He played it back into the box to Polk, who found the back of the net for the second time for his team-leading ninth goal of the season.

Clemson controlled possession much of the remainder of the match as Syracuse's defense was content to play the ball long out of its defensive end. The Orange successfully defended against two corner kicks and didn't allow a shot on goal in the second half as it knocked the defending champions out of the tournament.

Statistically, Clemson had the edge, outshooting Syracuse 15-8 and recording seven corner kicks to two for the Orange. Tarbell finished with three saves, while freshman goalkeeper Hendrik Hilpert needed to make just one as he posted his third shutout of the season.

Syracuse will now travel to South Bend, Ind. to face No. 9/9 Notre Dame on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. The winner will claim the ACC Championship and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.