A chilly night in Cary, N.C. set the scene for Clemson’s semi-final victory over Notre Dame this Friday. In a brutal war of attrition, the Tigers captured a 1-1 (5-3) win, which was decided on a penalty kick from defender Justin Malou.
Following the game, Clemson will move on to the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship on Sunday.
Head coach Mike Noonan was impressed with what he saw from both teams tonight. “They’re a high-character team, we’re a high-character team, and one was gonna give,” said Noonan. “It was a good college soccer game, and we’re very thankful and humbled that we’re able to advance.”
All-ACC goalkeeper George Marks made the play of the game tonight, securing Clemson’s victory by blocking Notre Dame’s fourth penalty kick.
“We did a lot of research, and all of their guys were pretty good penalty takers,” said Marks after the game. “At the end of the day you just got to look the guy in the eye. A little bit of luck goes into it, and these guys are so good that I knew I just had to save one.”
Midfielder Luis Felipe Fernandez-Salvador was responsible for Clemson’s first and only goal. Around the 10-minute mark, he fired in an unassisted rocket of a kick from just outside the 18-yard box, missing the crossbar by less than a foot.
Notre Dame was able to tie the game just ten minutes later, then both teams proceeded to go scoreless for the remaining ninety minutes.
It was a physical, high-intensity match as the Tigers and the Irish had a combined 36 fouls committed. This led to bickering between some players, coaches and officials.
“You just have to be in the moment and focus on what’s important,” said Malou. “Whatever they have to say, it’s something I cannot control. I just need to control staying focused, helping organize my teammates.”
Meanwhile, Marks is excited for his first chance at a title.
“I think it would mean everything,” said Marks. “To me, the older boys, younger boys, the alums… that’s a massive thing for Clemson. We have such a storied history; something we talk about a lot is trying to raise that jersey as high as we can and leave the program better than we found it.”
This was Clemson’s second matchup with Notre Dame this season. The Fighting Irish had previously defeated the Tigers 2-0 at Historic Riggs Field in October.
Clemson soccer will now make its fifth appearance in an NCAA final, hoping to secure its third national title.
The match will be played at 2:00 P.M. in Cary, N.C. and can be watched on ESPNU.
