#9 Tigers Edge Orange in Penalty Kick Shootout

Wednesday, November 1

Clemson, SC

7 pm

Syracuse University

6-8-4

Clemson

11-4-1

OT 3

OT 4

Syracuse

Clemson

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

11/1/2017 11:12:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

CLEMSON, S.C. – For the second straight year, Syracuse was eliminated from the ACC Men's Soccer Tournament by No. 9 Clemson in a penalty kick shootout. The squads played to a 2-2 tie in 110 minutes, but the Tigers won the shootout, 4-3, at Historic Riggs Field on November 1 to advance to the tournament quarterfinals.

"It was another roller coaster, emotional, intense and exciting Syracuse – Clemson match," said Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre. "Unfortunately, we were on the wrong side of the result. I'm very proud of this team. The work ethic and passion they showed was terrific. Our young guys did very well tonight. This team doesn't know when it's beaten and almost found a way to win the game."

HOW IT WAS DECIDED
Freshman Tajon Buchanan gave Syracuse the lead in the 60th minute when he carried the ball down the right side and buried his shot from 10 yards out. The Tigers (11-4-1) tied the score on Saul Chinchilla's goal in the 70th minute and then went ahead on Patrick Bunk-Anderson's goal in the 86th minute. Syracuse goalkeeper Hendrik Hilpert blocked a shot by Oliver Shannon, but couldn't control the ball, which deflected to Bunk-Anderson, who fired his shot in the back of the net from three yards out.

The Orange recorded the equalizer with just 1:59 remaining in regulation. Junior Jan Breitenmoser crossed the ball into the box to the far post from the left side. Syracuse sophomore Johannes Pieles and Clemson goalkeeper Ximo Miralles both went up for the ball, which Pieles headed toward the goal. The ball went of Miralles after he fell to the ground and crossed the goal line. The referee reviewed the play, confirming Pieles' team-leading sixth goal of the season.

Neither team could take advantage of its chances in the two overtime sessions, sending the match to a penalty kick shootout.

Both teams missed on their first attempt but converted on the second. Hilpert stopped Shannon's attempt before Clemson goalkeeper Michael Zierhoffer, who did not see any action in regulation or overtime, made a save on Hugo Delhommelle's shot. Both teams converted on their fourth attempt before Michael Melvin put his shot in the back of the net to give the Tigers a 3-2 lead. Hilpert took Syracuse's final shot in the first set of five and converted to send the game to sudden-death penalty kicks.

Harrison Kurtz was up next for Clemson and he made his shot to put Clemson back on top, 4-3. Pieles needed to convert to keep the Orange alive, but his shot went off the post to send the Tigers to the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.

OF NOTE
Wednesday's match marked the third straight time Syracuse and Clemson have gone to penalty kicks in the postseason. The first came in the 2015 College Cup national semifinals. Last season's ACC Tournament quarterfinal match between the two squads was also decided by penalty kicks.

The Orange end the season with a 6-8-4 record. Sixteen of the 18 matches were decided by a goal or less.