The crowd in Cary, N.C. was painted in orange and regalia Sunday night as the Clemson men’s soccer team secured the program’s third national championship. A dominant defensive showing held Washington scoreless on the season’s biggest stage.
The Tigers defeated the Huskies 2-0, fueled by two early goals from forward Isaiah Reid and another lights-out performance from goalkeeper George Marks. 
Not even a minute into the game, Reid scored on a tap-in after the sun caused the Washington goalie to whiff at a clearance attempt. In the fourteenth minute Reid scored again, this time heading in a beautiful cross-field pass from defenseman Charlie Asensio.
“Honestly I don’t even know what was going through my head,” Reid said of his second goal. “When I ran onto that ball, I just thought about scoring.”
Reid, a defender-turned-forward due to injuries on Clemson’s offense, had only scored one goal over the past fourteen games.
Reid and Marks were named the College Cup’s offensive and defensive MVPs, respectively. 
Defensively, Clemson suffocated Washington’s offensive attack, only allowing two of the team’s shots to reach Marks. 
“[We have] experienced guys who love each other and are willing to work for each other,” Marks said of his team’s defense. “You look at me, Oscar and Charlie, that’s three to four years of living together, spending day in and day out training through the good moments and bad moments.” 
As for head coach Mike Noonan, he is pleased with his experience in Cary. 
“The four teams that represented the College Cup this year are high-character, high-talent teams,” said Noonan. “I’m just overjoyed that the ball bounced our way and that we’re the national champions.”
Meanwhile Marks has yet to fully process the victory.
“I don’t think it’s really set in yet,” he said after the game. “I think it’s going to take days and weeks to set in. It’s unbelievable and it’s euphoric. It makes everything worth it.”
This was Clemson’s first non-football national championship since 2003, and its seventh national championship as a university. The Tigers reached the men’s soccer championship in 2015, only to lose 0-4 to Stanford.
For Noonan, this win is his first career championship, but he always knew a title would be in the cards for him at Clemson.
“My brother won it with Duke back in ’82 or ’83. He waves his ring in my face at Christmastime, all the time. When I took the job at Clemson, I told him ‘I’m going to Clemson, and you’re not going to be the only one with a ring.’ 12 years later, it’s true.” he said.
The Tigers will now return to Clemson with the championship trophy in-hand, bringing glory back to Tigertown.
This article was updated to include additional quotes and information after the post-game press conference.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Maggie Bell, Senior Photographer

Sophomore midfielder Ousmane Sylla (#21) had one assist in the championship game.