Clemson Wins 2021 Men's Soccer National Championship
CARY, N.C. — Junior forward Isaiah Reid’s goal just 27 seconds into the College Cup final proved decisive as the Clemson Tigers upended No. 2 Washington, 2-0, to win the 2021 Men’s Soccer National Championship. The victory marked the Tigers’ third national title and first since 1987, and the first under Head Coach Mike Noonan.
The title was the seventh team National Championship in Clemson Athletics history, joining football (1981, 2016, 2018), men’s golf (2003).
Reid, a Rock Hill, S.C. native, scored both Clemson goals, as he added his second in the 15th minute on a beautiful header that concluded the scoring, giving the Tigers the historic 2-0 victory. Clemson knocked off the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4, No. 9 and overall seeds on its tournament run.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w--74F9MAG0
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CARY, N.C. (theACC.com) – Clemson won the NCAA men's soccer national championship Sunday with a 2-0 triumph over Washington in the title match of the NCAA Men's College Cup in front of 7,238 fans at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.
ACC teams have won 18 NCAA men’s soccer championships. The ACC has had at least one conference team in the NCAA Men’s College Cup in 20 of the last 21 seasons.
This also marks the 11th time the ACC has won both the women’s and men’s soccer national championships in the same year. Florida State claimed the women's crown on Monday night. The ACC has won three team national championships this fall - men's soccer (Clemson), women's soccer (Florida State) and women's cross country (NC State) - with an opportunity to win another this weekend in women's volleyball (Louisville and Pitt).
The tournament's No. 8 seed, Clemson (16-5-2) notched the third national championship in program history, second most of any current ACC program (Virginia, 7). The Tigers also won national championships in 1984 and 1987. Clemson eliminated three of the tournament's top four seeds en route to the title. In addition to defeating No. 2 Washington (18-3-2) on Sunday, the Tigers knocked out top-seeded Oregon State and No. 4 seed Notre Dame in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.
Isaiah Reid scored both of Clemson's goals, recording a brace in the first 15 minutes of the first half. He scored just 27 seconds into the game to give the Tigers an early advantage and then added a beautiful header in the 15th minute for some added cushion.
Reid was named the College Cup's Most Outstanding Offensive Player. After making two saves Sunday and recording a clean sheet, Clemson goalkeeper George Marks was tabbed the College Cup's Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
Six current ACC programs have won at least one national championship, the most of any conference. Eleven different league programs have reached the Men's College Cup. Sixty-one ACC teams have reached the Men's College Cup all-time.
2021 NCAA Men’s College Cup All-Tournament Team
Name, School, Position
Oskar Agren, Clemson, D
Luis Felipe Fernandez-Salvador, Clemson, M
Justin Malou, Clemson, D
Zach Riviere, Georgetown, M/F
Jack Lynn, Notre Dame, F
Lucas Meek, Washington, M
Charlie Ostrem, Washington, D
Ryan Sailor, Washington, D
Dylan Teves, Washington, M
Offensive Most Outstanding Player: Isaiah Reid, Clemson, F
Defensive Most Outstanding Player: George Marks, Clemson, GK
2021 NCAA Men’s College Cup
Friday, Dec. 10
WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, N.C.
No. 8 Clemson 1, No. 4 Notre Dame 1 (2OT; Clemson advances 5-3 on PKs)
No. 2 Washington 2, No. 3 Georgetown 1
Sunday, Dec. 12 - Championship Game
WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, N.C.
Clemson 2, Washington 0
