Clemson United (2-2-1, 0-1 ACC) dropped its first ACC match of the 2023 season on Saturday, losing to No. 20 Notre Dame (4-0-1, 1-0 ACC) by a score of 3-2 at Alumni Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.

A potential comeback was shut down in the second half by the Irish, giving the Tigers a loss in their conference opener.

The Irish opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a corner kick. As the ball was played in, Notre Dame defender Kyle Genenbacher found an open shot that was blocked on the goal line by Clemson. The ball fell right to forward Eno Nto, who hit a one-time rebound shot that sealed the Irish’s first goal.

Fifteen minutes later, Notre Dame doubled its lead. It was Nto who helped the Irish score again, this time with an assist on the right side, which landed in the feet of midfielder Bryce Boneau. Boneau crashed the box and fired a quick shot past Clemson goalkeeper Joseph Andema.

After going down 2-0, the Tigers were able to rally back before the half. It started with transfer Gael Gibert, who scored the Tigers’ first goal on a bouncing ball from Ousmane Sylla at the 43rd-minute mark.

Just 41 seconds later, Mike Noonan and his team evened up the score with an assist from Joran Gerbet to Brandon Parrish, who found space at the top of the box and put in Clemson’s second goal of the game.

After halftime, Notre Dame forward Daniel Russo fired a low free-kick around the wall of Clemson players and past Andema to retake the lead in the 50th minute. Neither team scored after that, as the Irish ultimately came away with the win.

The Tigers had opportunities to score during the game, recording 13 shots compared to Notre Dame’s 11. There were 32 combined fouls and four yellow cards called on both sides.

The Tigers will travel to Tampa, Florida next, with a match against the University of South Florida Bulls set to take place on Tuesday at 7 p.m.