The No. 12 Clemson men’s soccer team fell to Notre Dame 2-1 on Friday night in a reversal of the score from the 2023 national championship.

The Tigers (5-2-2, 2-2 ACC) lost the defensive battle against the Fighting Irish, as Clemson allowed eight shots and conceded two, while Notre Dame conceded just one.

After a scoreless first half, Clemson United took the lead in the 55th minute when midfielder Antonio Illuminato converted a shot to the bottom left of the goal, assisted by defender Titus Sandy Jr.

The Tigers’ leg up was short-lived, however, as Notre Dame swiftly answered back with a goal of its own three minutes later from freshman forward Stevie Dunphy, who placed a shot in the bottom right of the goal to tie the match at 1-1.

Following a red card on defender Adam Lundegard, Clemson was down a player for the remainder of the match. Although they were outnumbered, Clemson’s defense managed to keep the game tied for another 25 minutes until the Fighting Irish cemented the win with a goal in the 85th minute.

Clemson United will next return home to face No. 3 North Carolina at Historic Riggs Field on Friday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. as the team looks to rebuild some of its momentum.