Clemson defeats Notre Dame for second NCAA men's soccer championship in three years

Clemson’s Brandon Parrish scored in the first half and Ousmane Sylla added a clinching goal in the second to lead No. 9 seed Clemson men's soccer to a 2-1 victory Monday night against No. 2 seed Notre Dame, giving the Tigers their second national championship in three years.

The Tigers’ victory in the College Cup championship match unfolded at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, capping an impressive postseason that saw coach Mike Noonan’s team allow just one goal in five NCAA Tournament games.

Monday’s victory enabled Clemson (15-3-5) to avenge a 3-2 loss against the Fighting Irish (13-3-6) in South Bend, Indiana, in their ACC opener on Sept. 9. The Tigers lost just once since – a 1-0 decision at No. 14 Wake Forest on Sept. 22.

Clemson men’s soccer passed the Tigers’ football program for the most national titles with four; Clemson has won three national titles in football.

Clemson's previous national soccer titles were won in 1984, 1987 and 2021.

Parrish, a senior midfielder from Nashville, Tennessee, gathered in a high kick on attempted clearance by Notre Dame in front of its goal, took a couple of quick steps and drilled a kick into the rights side of the net.

It was the fourth goal of the season and the eighth of the team captain’s career.

"We had a revenge tour and we stuck together for the last eight months and we were family," Parrish said. "That's why we have this trophy."

Sylla put the finishing touches on the victory with his goal in the 70^th minute, taking a cross from Alex Meinhard and booting it home with authority. A senior midfielder from Dakar, Senegal, Sylla's goal was his team-leading 13th of the season. A first team All-American and a Hermann Trophy semifinalist, he also paced the Tigers in points, assists and shots on goal.

Clemson lost the shutout in the final minute. Tyler Trimnal was guilty of a hand ball and Notre Dame's Paddy Burns rocketed the penalty kick past Clemson goalkeeper Joseph Andema. Andema had three saves on the night.

Clemson became just the seventh school to win four of more national titles and the fourth ACC school to win the ACC championship and the national championship the same year.

SEMIFINAL WIN:Clemson men's soccer back in national championship game after beating West Virginia 1-0

"It's the best one this year," Noonan said, laughing. "This team is resilient, tough, elite. They're a special group, so dynamic in so many different ways, avery diverse group. One thing that connects it all together is they love each other."

The Fighting Irish allowed two goals in only three matches all season; two of matches were against Clemson, which led the nation with 60 goals this season.

Scott Keepfer covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @ScottKeepfer