Oct. 5, 2013
CLEMSON, S.C. – A two-goal effort, including the game winner in overtime, from senior forward Harrison Shipp propelled the second-ranked Notre Dame men’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory at No. 13 Clemson Saturday evening in Atlantic Coast Conference play at Riggs Field.
The Fighting Irish (6-0-3, 3-0-2) seemed on their way to victory in regulation, but Clemson’s Ara Amirkhanian netted the equalizer in the 88th minute. It didn’t take Shipp long to end the match as he deposited a turnaround shot from 15 yards away less than two minutes into overtime.
Shipp currently has a career-best seven-game point streak and he leads the Irish this season in goals (5) and assists (5). All 15 of his points have come in the last seven matches.
“We talked before overtime that we wanted to go after the win and so we put out more of an attacking group,” Notre Dame head coach Bobby Clark said. “What can you say about Harry (Shipp)? He’s an unbelievable player. He’s always played well for us, but this is the best he’s ever played. He’s a captain and a senior and he’s a great example to all of our players.”
The Fighting Irish escaped danger in the 18th minute when Clemson’s Austen Burnikel received a corner kick and placed a shot on frame, but it was cleared away by Notre Dame midfielder Danny Lojek, who was positioned at the near post. The Irish then delivered on the other end of the pitch as Shipp dribbled his way past the Clemson defense, including goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell, and sunk his shot from close range. Notre Dame nearly went ahead by two in the 23rd minute, but forward Vince Cicciarelli placed his shot just wide of the near post from 17 yards out.
Notre Dame had the game’s only two shots on goal in the first half and led 1-0 at the intermission.
Clemson (7-2-1, 2-2-1) threatened in the opening minute of the second half when Manolo Sanchez worked his way into the box but sailed his shot over the crossbar. Sanchez put a shot on goal in the 48th minute and Irish goalkeeper Patrick Wall was there for the save. Wall, a senior, was needed again three minutes later to stop a chance from Jack Metcalf.
Cicciarelli hit the post in the 55th minute and Amirkhanian hit the woodwork in the 75th minute. The Tigers outshot the Irish 15-7. Wall had two saves for the Irish, while Tarbell finished with one save for the Clemson defense that had only surrendered four goals all season before tonight’s contest.
“This was a fantastic result,” Clark said. “It was a tough result because they put us through the mill in the second half. This was the first time we were outshot this season.”
The Fighting Irish return to the pitch Tuesday when they play host to No. 8 Maryland. The ACC showdown is slated for 7 p.m. (ET) at Alumni Stadium and it will be broadcast live on the ACC Digital Network (theACC.com).
Riggs Field – Clemson, S.C.
October 5, 2013
#2 Notre Dame (6-0-3, 3-0-2) 1 0 1 – 2
#13 Clemson (7-2-1, 2-2-1) 0 1 0 – 1
Scoring: ND: Harrison Shipp (unassisted) 20:08; CU: Ara Amirkhanian (Thomas McNamara) 87:02; ND: Harrison Shipp (unassisted) 91:55
Shots: ND 4-2-1 – 7, CU 6-9-0 – 15
Corner Kicks: ND 3-0-0 – 3, CU 1-3-0 – 4
Goalkeepers: ND: Patrick Wall – 2 SV, 1 GA, 91:55, W
CU: Andrew Tarbell – 1 SV, 2 GA, 91:55, L
Fouls: ND 11, CU 13
Offsides: ND 3, CU 3
–ND–