CLEMSON, S.C. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-1-2, 1-0-0 ACC) opened ACC play with a big 1-0 victory over the #17 Clemson Tigers (4-2-0, 1-1-0 ACC) at Riggs Field.
A moment of brilliance was the difference maker in the match, as Vlad Walent threaded a sublime pass to Tristan Tropeano, who made no mistake with the finish to deliver the Irish the win in the 88th minute.
While Tropeano finished the night with the game-winning goal, junior goalkeeper Blake Kelly finished the night with four saves for the Irish in his seventh career shutout. Kelly leads the ACC with 26 saves so far this season.
Tropeano had a great look in the 9th minute as the freshman forward attacked in transition, avoiding the Clemson tackle for a right-footed strike in the box, but missed just wide to the right of the goal.
Michael Capretto was able to fire a shot off in the 28th minute off the Notre Dame corner kick, but the shot went over the crossbar.
Both the Irish and the Tigers finished the half with four shots each as Kelly recorded two saves in the first 45 minutes of play.
Both sides came out of the intermission aggressively, as Notre Dame and Clemson created chances over the first 25 minutes of the second half.
The Irish had a great look in the 71st minute, as Tropeano broke into the box down the left flank and tried to pick out the top corner of the far post, but just couldn’t bend his shot on frame.
Kelly made a save from a header in the box moments later to keep the match level.
Notre Dame threatened again in the 81st minute as Capretto was fouled just outside the area down the left flank, but Walent couldn’t keep his free kick attempt down as it went over the bar.
Minutes later, Nate Zimmermann tried to be the hero for the second straight match, firing a low drive that was headed just inside the far post, but the Clemson keeper made a diving stop to keep the score at 0-0 in the 84th minute.
Persistent in their efforts, the Irish were on the attack in the 88th minute as Walent played a beautiful ball through a pair of defenders to Tropeano, who found the back of the net for his second goal of the season to put the Irish on the board.
88' IRISH GOAL☘️
— Notre Dame Men's Soccer (@NDMenSoccer) September 12, 2026
Tristan Tropeano finds the back of the net on the pass from Vlad Walent! pic.twitter.com/NFgP8kQvr5
The Tigers would have one last look in the 89th minute, but a big Kelly save would secure the 1-0 ranked win on the road over the No. 17 Clemson Tigers.
McFARLAND FAMILY MEN’S HEAD SOCCER COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE
On the match…
“I’m certainly proud of the team tonight. It was a real team effort to get the result. Clemson is clearly a good team and this was a hard fought result. I especially liked our response in the second half. I thought we were a bit timid at times in the first half, but came out with much more conviction in the second half. And what a great goal.”
UP NEXT
The Irish are back in action on Tuesday, Sept. 15 as they’re back at Alumni Stadium to host Detroit Mercy at 7:00 PM.