The Clemson soccer team found a game-winning goal from freshman Ransford Gyan in the 65th minute to propel the team past the No. 11 Cal Golden Bears, winning 3-2 in the ACC Tournament semifinal at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.
The Tigers opened the game with a 2-0 lead, coming first from a Tyler Trimnal goal in the 5th minute. Fellow freshman Wahabu Musah fired a shot that was saved by Cal goalkeeper Marco Brougher. The ball fell to Trimnal, and the junior scored a tap-in.
18 minutes later, forward Alex Meinhard found a chance, finding an open space in the box and firing a low shot that zipped past Brougher for the second goal of the game. The ball found an opening between another Cal defender’s legs as well.
It was Meinhard’s team-high 11th goal of the season on Thursday night. He has now scored eight goals in the last eight games, heating up at the perfect time in the season.
The Golden Bears responded with two quick goals coming out of the second half. Substitute Malcolm Zalayet made a move past a Clemson defender and fired one past goalkeeper Patrick Donovan to cut the lead in half. 12 minutes later in the 62nd minute, Adrian Jacobs’s goal made it 2-2 in Cary.
Gyan’s goal came from a pass from Musah again, finding a tight angle of space and rocketing a shot past Brougher for Gyan’s go-ahead goal. Gyan’s goal marked Musah’s second assist of the night, making it a memorable night for the freshmen.
While the Golden Bears brought the attack, Patrick Donovan made an outstanding save with four minutes to go, keeping the Tigers in front. Donovan finished with two saves in the win, being the emergency goalkeeper following long-time starter Joseph Andema’s injury at the end of the regular season.
With the win, Clemson has made it to the ACC Championship final five times out of the last six seasons. They have now made it three straight seasons and are looking to win back-to-back tournament titles for the first time in program history.
Head coach Mike Noonan and the team will remain in the Tar Heel State and face No. 5-seeded Wake Forest on Sunday at noon in the final. The game will be broadcast on the ACC Network.
