CARY, N.C. – Wake Forest clinched the 2024 ACC Men’s Soccer Championship, defeating Clemson in a thrilling penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. The Demon Deacons, seeded fifth, edged second-seeded Clemson 7-6 in an intense eight-round showdown.
The victory marked Wake Forest’s fourth ACC title and the third under head coach Bobby Muuss, with their last win in 2017. Graduate defender Prince Amponsah earned the tournament’s Most Valuable Player honors
Clemson (14-2-5) struck first in the 20th minute. Adam Lundegard’s header from a Ransford Gyan corner kick found Lukas Magnuson, who tapped in his second goal of the season.
Wake Forest (9-4-7) equalized in the 39th minute when Nico Rabiu scored his first goal of the season, firing a low shot past the Clemson defense after a perfect setup by Jeffrey White.
In the penalty shootout, both teams converted their first three attempts before Wake’s Basit Umar was denied by Clemson goalkeeper Patrick Donovan. Clemson’s Titus Sandy Jr. then hit the post, keeping the shootout alive. After a series of successful penalties, Clemson’s Samir Dishnica sent his shot over the bar, sealing the Demon Deacons’ victory.
Clemson outshot Wake Forest 17-14, with both teams registering five shots on target. Goalkeepers Donovan and Trace Alphin made four saves each.
With the win, Wake Forest secures the ACC’s automatic bid to the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
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