Clemson Upsets #15 Virginia 2-0

CLEMSON, SC—Thomas McNamara and Ara Amirkhanian both scored goals in Clemson’s 2-0 upset win over 15th-ranked Virginia in an Atlantic Coast Conference men’s soccer match at the Tigers’ Historic Riggs Field Friday night.

With the win, the Tigers improve to 3-0 overall, while Virginia falls to 1-2 on the season.    It was the first ACC match of the season for both teams.   

Clemson dominated play particularly in the first half as Clemson had eight shots compared to the Cavaliers’ one attempt at intermission.   The Tigers scored both of their goals over the midway point in the first half.     For the match, the Tigers outshot Virginia 13-6.    Clemson’s stifling defense kept Virginia at bay as the Cavaliers were only able to muster only three shots on goal for the entire evening.  

Clemson scored first at the 27:25 mark as Thomas McNamara sent a free kick from 22 yards out at the left corner of the box on the ground to the right wall of the netting for his third goal of the season.     

Clemson scored 10:51 minutes later in the 39th minute of play.   Manolo Sanchez passed the ball to Bobby Belair on the right.     Belair one touched it and sent a cross to Ara Amirkhanian.    Amrikhanian sent a 17-yard shot into the netting for his first goal of the year.   

“It was a great win for the team,” said Ara Amirkhanian, who is a native of Clemson, SC.    “We need to play a complete game, and we will work on that.    We created chances tonight, and we need to keep working hard.     I grew up in Clemson and it’s like a dream playing at Historic Riggs Field and being a part of a big win,” said Amirkhanian.  

The Cavaliers’ Jeff Gal made five saves and the Tigers’ goalkeeper Chris Glodack made three saves on the night.   

“It’s a tale of two halves,” said Clemson Head Coach Mike Noonan.   “We played hard and had chances to score more, but was unable to convert.    I was very proud of our defensive effort.      Each game we get better and better.     Ara scores big goals at big times.    He works hard and improves constantly, he also does a great job in the classroom.    The entire defensive unit was solid tonight.   Chis Glodack made two big saves for us tonight,” said Noonan    

The Tigers will play host to Gardner Webb at 6:00 p.m. at Historic Riggs Field in the Tigers’ next action.   

Clemson—Thomas McNamara (Unassisted) 27:25
Clemson—Ara Amirkhanian (Manolo Sanchez, Bobby Belair) 38:16

Shots:  Clemson 13, Virginia 6
Corner Kicks:  Clemson 5, Virginia 5
Saves:  Chris Glodack (CU) 3, Jeff Gal (V) 5
Fouls:  Clemson 19, Virginia 11
Attendance:  3,125
 

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