Clemson defeats Notre Dame 2-1, wins 2023 DI men's soccer championship (2024)

90:00 | Clemson Tigers: National champions!

Exhale, Tigers fans! After a nervy final minute, Clemson rejoiced as the final buzzer sounds, winning 2-1 and claiming its second national championship in three seasons. The Tigers scored a pair of stunning goals on either side of halftime to take a 2-0 lead and then hung on late to win their fourth national title.

The thrill of victory. 🤩🏆#MCollegeCup x @ClemsonMSoccer pic.twitter.com/fZviancgve

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 12, 2023

89:00 | Irish pull one back!

It's never that easy! With just a minute remaining, the Clemson defense gifted Notre Dame a lifeline after an attempted cross struck the outstretched arm of a Tiger defender. Paddy Burns buried the penalty, and the Irish will look to force extra time in the final minute.

69:41 | GOooOOooOAL Clemson !!

Ousmane Sylla doubled the lead for the Tigers off a quick counter and expertly slotted assist from Alex Meinhard. Ousmane now has 13 goals on the season.

GOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLL CLEMSON👀👀

📺 ESPNU #MCollegeCup x @ClemsonMSoccer pic.twitter.com/y5oS8a2byw

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 12, 2023

55:31 | Notre Dame finds the woodwork

The Irish narrowly missed a chance to equalize with Paddy Burns' open shot on the backside bounced off the crossbar and away from the goal line. Notre Dame followed up the near miss with another frenzy in the box only to be stopped by a Clemson midair clearance.

YOOOOOOO 👀

📺 ESPNU#MCollegeCup x @ClemsonMSoccer pic.twitter.com/cezxlt79AZ

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 12, 2023

45:00 | Clemson leads by one at the half

The Tigers' ripper in the 26th minute remains the only goal, but the Irish, ignited by the blow, delivered four shots and created a slew of attacking plays. As the minutes went by, the all-too-acquainted ACC got chippy, tallying six fouls a piece and a yellow card for the Tigers in the 41st minute. Notre Dame will look to equalize in the second period and become the first team to score on Clemson all tournament.

26:42 | GOAL CLEMSON

AN ABSOLUTE DAGGER FOR THE FIRST GOAL!!! 🚀

📺 ESPNU #MCollegeCup x @ClemsonMSoccer pic.twitter.com/cPRzDHqRfs

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 11, 2023

Tigers senior Brandon Parrish launched an absolute rocket from outside the box after controlling a half clearance from Notre Dame and ripped a low and driven finish. The shot deflected off an Irish defender giving it an unreadable spin.

24:10| Still scoreless but the Tigers are unrelenting

It's halfway through the half and the scoreboard reflects zeros but the ball has barely left the Notre Dame half. The Tigers are pressing high and fast, making it hard for the Irish to properly clear their lines.

01:00 | And we're off

Notre Dame started with the ball and sent it to Daniel Russo in the box, but Clemson's Joseph Andema was there to corral the bouncing ball.

Starting XIs:

There are only a few minutes to go before the first whistle blows and starting lineups are out.

For the Clemson Tigers:

Starting XI on the pitch tonight 😤#ClemsonUnited pic.twitter.com/28512L8LIm

— Clemson Men's Soccer (@ClemsonMSoccer) December 11, 2023

For the Notre Dame Fighting Irish:

• (1) Joseph Andema
• (2) Pape Mare Boye
• (3) Adam Lundegard
• (6) Joran Gerbet
• (10) Ousmane Sylla
• (11) Brandon Parrish
• (15) Alex Meinhard
• (17) Tyler Trimnal
• (20) Shawn Smart
• (27) Gael Gibert
• (33) Arthur Duquenne

Today a national champion will be crowned and not for the first time, No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 9 Clemson Tigers will meet under season-ending conditions. Let's take a look back at the convoluted history between these well acquainted ACC foes.

Sep. 9, 2023, ACC season opener
Notre Dame battled out a 3-2 win this season feeding off the energy of their home crowd in South Bend, IN, and narrowly escaping a Tiger comeback. The Irish went up 2-0 in the 36th minute before Clemson fired back a response, leveling the scoreboard in 43 seconds. Notre Dame's Daniel Russo curled in a free kick to start the second half and the Irish backline endured five Clemson shots to ultimately outlast the Tigers.

2022, ACC tournament first-round matchup
Clemson ends the Notre Dame season and steals any chance for the Irish to make a run into the postseason with a crushing 3-1 Tiger victory. The Irish, who had turned around a rough start to the season, went home empty-handed with an 8-7-2 record.

📲 Click or tap here for the interactive bracket

2021, National Semifinal match
Clemson advances off penalty kicks after a tied-up first half (1-1) held through a hard-fought 110 minutes. Despite a Notre Dame win during the regular season (2-0), the Tigers once again ended the Irish season. Both teams converted their first three PKs, but a huge Clemson save on the Irish's fourth shot gave the Tigers an opening to gain an edge and claim the semifinal match. The Tigers would go on to beat Washington in the national final and claim their program's third title.

2019, Regular season match and ACC tournament quarters
The only meetings in the past four seasons that did not result in a season end. Although Clemson triumphed on both occasions, the Irish earned a berth in the NCAA tournament but fell in the first round. The Tigers fell in the ACC championship match and went as far as the NCAA quarterfinals.

2018, ACC tournament first round
Notre Dame delivers a 2-0 blow to Clemson, halting the Tiger's chance at the NCAA tournament after a tough season. The Irish made it as far as the NCAA quarterfinals.

As history has proven, a regular season win does not guarantee a postseason repeat but with the back-and-forth history of tonight's opponents, anything may happen. One thing for certain, by the end of the night, only one team will lift the national championship trophy.

No. 2 Notre Dame vs. No. 9 Clemson | Monday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.

And then there were two. On Monday, the Fighting Irish and the Tigers will battle out the 2023 national title after both teams advanced off a one-goal semifinal victory. The final game will be played at 6 p.m. ET in Louisville, KY.

Highlights from Notre Dame's 1-0 semifinal win over Oregon State.

📲 Click or tap here for interactive bracket

90:00 | Irish heading to finals!

Eno Nto's second-half goal was just enough to push Notre Dame into the College Cup finals as the Irish's makeshift back five managed to keep Oregon State scoreless. ND's victory ensures an All-ACC finals, as Clemson bested West Virginia in the first semifinal.

67:04 | Beavers are creating chaos in the Notre Dame box

The Beavers are itching for an equalizer and created a frenzy in the box that forced a chest block from a Fighting Irish defender to prevent one of Oregon State's best chances. The Beavers are continuing to press high, jumping on any chance they get.

THE CHAOS 🤯

📺 ESPNU#MCollegeCup x @NDMenSoccer pic.twitter.com/1mHJ2e2P6r

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 9, 2023

50:23 | GOAL Notre Dame!

Fighting Irish forward Eno Nto found himself alone in the Beaver box and took one touch before ripping a half volley into the bottom right of the net. Elite 90 Award winner Wyatt Lewis dished off the assist to put Notre Dame ahead.

Eno Nto strikes FIRST for the Irish ☘️

📺 ESPNU#MCollegeCup x @NDMenSoccer pic.twitter.com/t0BKH84jX3

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 9, 2023

45:00 | Scoreless at the half

Still scoreless in Louisville. The Beavers found a good stint of possession in the middle third, breaking through a handful of times and recording three shots on frame. The Fighting Irish had their best chance in the 31st minute, but the Beavers' Luis Castillo was there to make the save.

Nothing getting by Luis Castillo ❌

📺 ESPNU#MCollegeCup x @BeaverMSoccer pic.twitter.com/yBeH6CPGJZ

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 9, 2023

22:00 | Back-and-forth but nothing yet...

There has been nothing but choppy possession on both ends of the field so far with both teams earning two corners a piece. The Beavers are stepping aggressively and have tallied eight fouls on the half.

5:00 | And we're off!

Early corner kick for the Beavers to start the second semifinal of the College Cup.

Starting lineups:

We're going to find out whichsquad will take on Clemson for the title, as the Irish and Beavers areset in Louisville.

For the Oregon State Beavers:

Tonight's XI!#GoBeavs pic.twitter.com/q0NGWp61Ln

— Oregon State Men's Soccer (@BeaverMSoccer) December 9, 2023

For the Notre Dame Fighting Irish:

90:00 | Clemson hangs on!

After breaking the deadlock midway through the first half, Clemson survives nearly an hour of desperate West Virginia pressure and secures a nervy 1-0 victory, sending the Tigers to their second College Cup finals in three seasons.

65:00 | West Virginia pounding on the door

The score remains 1-0 to the Tigers but the Mountaineers are getting closer and closer to closing the gap. Clemson's backline has allowed five Mountaineer shots so far.

45:00 | HALF | Clemson 1, West Virginia 0

The Tigers maintain their clean sheet at the NCAA tournament and continue their first-half dominance — Clemson has scored in the first half of each tournament game so far. Things are getting chippy on the pitch as the Mountaineers endure eight fouls from the Tigers while only delivering three. The Tigers narrowly lead in shots on goal (2-1) with keeper Joseph Adema making this clutch save to stop West Virginia's only shot on frame.

GOT A HAND ON IT 👀

📺 ESPNU#MCollegeCup x @ClemsonMSoccer pic.twitter.com/BigQFwqME6

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 8, 2023

36:00 | GOAL Clemson | 1-0 Tigers

What. A. Finish. Shawn Smart scores the first goal of the College Cup with a half-volley banger.

OFF THE VOLLEY...TIGERS STIKE FIRST ⚽️🐯

📺 ESPNU #MCollegeCup x @ClemsonMSoccer pic.twitter.com/JO14njdppy

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 8, 2023

22:00 | 0-0

Halfway through the first half, the Tigers have maintained some dangerous possession in the attacking half, recording two corners and a free kick outside the corner of the box. West Virginia has taken advantage of their counters, though, earning a free kick and shot on goal.

1:00 | And we're off!

Let the College Cup begin. The Mountaineers start with the ball as the visiting Clemson band plays "Eye of the Tiger."

The starting lineups:

For the West Virginia Mountaineers:

𝓢𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓧𝓘

📺 ESPNU
📻 https://t.co/xqUQG8cfSk
📊 https://t.co/cEORUNoKUj#HailWV pic.twitter.com/W74D0eoCa6

— WVU Men's Soccer (@WVUMensSoccer) December 8, 2023

For the Clemson Tigers:

Starting XI on the pitch tonight 😤#ClemsonUnited pic.twitter.com/l5xHrJ2JyM

— Clemson Men's Soccer (@ClemsonMSoccer) December 8, 2023

Four teams have arrived in Louisville to play for a national championship this weekend. Here's what you need to know about each of the four remaining contenders.

No. 2 Notre Dame

The second-ranked Irish have lost once since September, and enter this weekend as the likely favorite to claim the national title. Notre Dame is making its third College Cup appearance. The Irish lost to eventual national champion Clemson in 2021 and won its only title over Maryland in 2013.

𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬
🆚: Oregon State
🏟️: Lynn Family Stadium
📍: Louisville, KY
📆: Friday, Dec. 8
🕰️: 8:30 PM ET
💻: ESPNU#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/Lm7pZmU0j3

— Notre Dame Men's Soccer (@NDMenSoccer) December 8, 2023

Notre Dame is one of the best defensive teams in the nation, but will be tested by a strong Oregon State offense that averages nearly two goals per game.

The Irish made it to Louisville after surviving eight-time champion Indiana in PKs in the quarterfinal.

Oregon State

The Beavers is making its first College Cup appearance in program history. But don't let the inexperience fool you, this Oregon State squad is skilled.

Lights, camera, action

Under the lights tomorrow… pic.twitter.com/jmIgRkhnML

— Oregon State Men's Soccer (@BeaverMSoccer) December 8, 2023

However, the Beavers will be without head coach Greg Dalby and starting midfielder Javier Armas for its game against Notre Dame after a violation of NCAA rules.

Oregon State knocked off No. 3 UNC in Chapel Hill, 1-0, to clinch its first-ever trip to the national semifinal.

No. 5 West Virginia

Like Oregon State, West Virginia is making its first College Cup appearance in program history. The Mountaineers advanced after a thrilling win over LMU that saw three goals in the first 15 minutes.

The goal was to finish here.
Holding up a 🏆.

Welcome to Louisville.@WVUMensSoccer | #HailWV pic.twitter.com/0DyaZ97CE3

— WVU Sports (@WVUSports) December 8, 2023

West Virginia hasone of America's best scoring offenses, but will need all of its firepower when it meets Clemson on Friday night.

No. 9 Clemson

Clemson provides the most experience of any team still standing. This will be the Tigers' 10th appearance in a College Cup — and the program's third since 2015.

We're still climbing.#ClemsonUnited pic.twitter.com/V0tSMEjPvj

— Clemson Men's Soccer (@ClemsonMSoccer) December 8, 2023

Like West Virginia, Clemson relies on pressure and a high-scoring offense. The Tigers' 57 goals lead the nation.

Clemson has yet to be tested much this tournament, outscoring its three opponents 6-0.

Schedule:

Friday, Dec. 8

• No. 9 Clemson 1, No. 5 West Virginia 0
• No. 2 Notre Dame 1, Oregon State0

Monday, Dec. 11

• No. 2 Notre Damevs. No. 9 Clemson | 6 p.m. ET, ESPNU

Four teams are celebrating tonight after lifting semifinalist trophies ahead of the 2023 Men's College Cup. From the left side of the bracket, No. 2 Notre Dame advances off a PK shootout while the unseeded Oregon State makes history after a well-earned 1-0 victory earns their first College Cup berth. On the other side, the imminent collision of two of the nation's most lethal frontlines when No. 5 West Virginia will take on No. 9 Clemson. The national semifinals will take place on Friday, Dec. 8 in Louisville, KY with the winners advancing to the championship game on Monday, Dec. 11.

Be sure to check out the interactive bracket for a look back at the road to the College Cup. Here's the schedule.

Friday, Dec. 8

• No. 5 West Virginia vs. No. 9 Clemson| 6 p.m. ET, ESPNU
• No. 2 Notre Dame vs. Oregon State| 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU

Monday, Dec. 11

• TBD vs. TBD| 6 p.m. ET, ESPNU

Notre Dame's PK perfection 🤌

The Fighting Irish delivered five PKs to outlast Indiana after 110 minutes of play and a Hoosier penalty hitting the post instead of the net. The lads advance to the College Cup for a third time after their last appearance in 2021.

Beavers make history in Tar Heel territory... 🤭

The unseeded Oregon State continues its outstanding tournament performance and earns its program's first berth in the Men's College Cup with a monumental win over UNC at Dorrance Stadium. This combination play betweenDante Williams and Vicente Castro produced the history-making game-winner.

Williams puts the Beavers on the board 💪

💻 ESPN+ #NCAASoccer x @BeaverMSoccer pic.twitter.com/NiRCsdEnw1

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 2, 2023

Notre Dame Golazo over 5-man-wall 😮‍💨

The Fighting Irish go up 1-0 over Indiana in the 16th minute with this Messi-worthy freekick from senior Daniel Russo.

😱 DANIEL RUSSO ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?

Watch: ESPN+#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/fRq0TwlSEg

— Notre Dame Men's Soccer (@NDMenSoccer) December 2, 2023

🎶 Cue Country Roads 🎶

For the first time in program history, West Virginia has advanced to the national semifinals and will have a chance at claiming a national championship. The WVU players took a victory lap as the Mountaineer anthem played over the speakers and a packed home crowd sang along.

Insane three goals in first 15 minutes of LMU vs. No. 5 West Virginia

Loyola Marymount (CA) was buzzing with energy as the first whistle was blown and managed a goal before the two minute mark. Senior Steven Anderson sprinted past a Mountaineer defender to get on the end of a deflected through ball and slot the ball in with his first touch. The unseeded Lions would not be ahead for long though. Not six minutes later, West Virginia's Luke McCormick scored a similar one touch finish off a threaded ball to level the score. In the fifteenth minute, the Mountaineers snatched the lead off a huge clearance from goalie Jackson Lee that bounced deep into LMU's half and intoSergio Ors Navarro's run.

Navarro gives the Mountaineers the lead ‼️

💻 ESPN+ #NCAASoccer x @WVUMensSoccer pic.twitter.com/7MzdReRENK

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 2, 2023

The 2023 DI men's soccer quarterfinals are here and four tickets to the College Cup are up for grabs. All quarterfinal games take place today, Saturday, Dec. 2. Below are the matchups:

All games listed in Eastern Time and available for live stream onESPN+

Saturday, Dec. 2

• No. 5 West Virginia 3, Loyola Marymount 1
• Oregon State 1,No. 3 North Carolina 0
• No. 2 Notre Dame 1, Indiana 1 (2OT, PK 5-4)
• No. 9 Clemson 2,No. 16 Stanford 0

The third round of the 2023 NCAA men's soccer tournament wrapped up this past weekend with eight games, two of which were decided by nerve-racking PK shootouts. Check out the latest bracket and scores here.

Here are the results of the third-round matches that led us to the round of eight teams.

All games listed in Eastern Time and available for live stream onESPN+

• Indiana 1,No. 7 Virginia 0
• No. 16 Stanford 3, No. 1 Marshall 0
• No. 9 Clemson 1, vs. No. 8 New Hampshire 0
• No. 3 North Carolina 2,No. 14 Hofstra 2 (2OT PK)
• No. 2 Notre Dame 0, Western Michigan 0 (2OT PK)
• No. 5 West Virginia 2,Vermont 1
• Oregon State 7,No. 6 SMU 1
• LMU (CA) 1,James Madison 0

Tar Heels score a late equalizer to survive until PKs

Down 2-1 at the half after a backline gaffe gifted Hofstra a go-ahead goal, the Heels trailed until the 85th minute where forward Martin Vician netted the equalizer to keep the game alive. Locked in a standstill through both overtime periods, Vician's header was enough to send the game into a PK decider where a massive save from Andrew Cordes gave UNC the advantage they needed to outshoot Hofstra.

Play it on repeat 🔁

📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/PGnqL3OAl0

— UNC Men's Soccer (@UNCmenssoccer) November 27, 2023

No. 2 Notre Dame shatters a scoreless match with perfect PK performance

After 110 minutes of scoreless snowy play, the Fighting Irish prevailed with five perfect PK shots and a huge save to end Western Michigan's enthralling run into the tournament.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/Rz9a9MXmzD

— Notre Dame Men's Soccer (@NDMenSoccer) November 27, 2023

The top-seeded Thundering Herd fell to No. 16 Stanford in a devastating 3-0 loss in front of a packed home crowd. In the first meeting between the two programs, the Cardinal managed only three shots on goal but netted each of them scoring one early in the match and two in the second half. Despite the low number of shots, Stanford was the better team today defending as a unit, capitalizing on counters and demonstrating expert ball movement in the attacking third. The three Cardinal goals came from different players but the second from juniorWill Reilly is a testament to the team's concerted effort all match.

FEAR THE TREE

💻 ESPN+ #NCAASoccer x @StanfordMSoccer pic.twitter.com/jnJMi2u5VP

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 26, 2023

The monumental victory halts a historic season for the Herd that saw a 12-game win streak, a program high in shutouts and many career-high performances. With the victory, Stanford advances to the quarterfinals with a shot at making the 2023 College Cup in Louisville, KY as they take on the winner of No. 9 Clemson vs. No. 8 New Hampshire.

Hoosiers blank No. 7 Virginia with an early goal

Indiana lives to see another day. In their last first meeting since 2000, the Hoosiers netted a goal in the 11th minute to give them an edge against No. 7 Virginia ultimately toughing out a 1-0 victory. FreshmanCollins Oduro surged into the six-yard box to get an inside of the foot tap-in off a cross fromMaouloune Goumballe.

11' | Oduro opens the scoring!@Collinso_11 | #IUMS pic.twitter.com/3BAKCXRgur

— Indiana Men's Soccer (@IndianaMSOC) November 26, 2023

One shot, one goal. No. 16 Stanford scores off their first shot of the game to take the lead over No. 1 Marshall in the fifteenth minute of the round-of-sixteen match.

Action Jackson 🎬

💻 ESPN+ #NCAASoccer x @StanfordMSoccer pic.twitter.com/yahKPJVip1

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 26, 2023

Lethal shooting by the Oregon State Beavers marked the most dominant game of the 2023 men's soccer tournament so far.Arnau Farnos opened the floodgates to equalize No. 6 SMU's early goal by sinking one in just outside of the box. Dante Williams and Logan Farrington were relentless against the Mustangs, each bagging two goals on a combined 13 shots.Vicente Castro andEllis Spikner added to the fun with goals of their own — for both players, it was their fourth of the season — en route to a whopping 7-1 victory over No. 6 SMU.

Six? SIX! pic.twitter.com/0ZYS8yFkQi

— Oregon State Men's Soccer (@BeaverMSoccer) November 26, 2023

Vermont closing the gap...and WVU's late game-winning response 🎯

No. 5 West Virginia scored in the first few minutes of the match only to head into the locker room tied one apiece. Surrounded by five West Virginia defenders, Catamount forward Carter Johnson found himself a window to send a left-footed rocket into the back of the net to equalize the match in the 31st minute.

Worth a couple more looks!#NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/Rwvt7ziqo5

— UVM Men's Soccer (@UVMmsoccer) November 25, 2023

Despite several chances on both ends of the pitch, the second half remained at a standstill until a chaotic final ten minutes where the Mountaineers scored and defended a stellar game-winning header. Junior defender Max Broughton found himself in the perfect position to nod in just his second goal of the season and give the Mountaineers the go-ahead point to advance to the quarterfinals. The victory wouldn't have been possible though, without two massive saves from WVU goalie Jackson Lee to defend the leadin the last few minutes of play.

🎶CUE COUNTRY ROADS!!

Mountaineers are the first team through to the NCAA quarterfinals!!#HailWV pic.twitter.com/DFZXbyW4WT

— WVU Men's Soccer (@WVUMensSoccer) November 25, 2023