Clemson wins 2021 NCAA men's College Cup (2024)

Thanks to two early goals and strong defense at the end, Clemson men's soccer has won the 2021 College Cup 2-0 over Washington. This is Clemson's third title in program history and its first since 1987.

The Tigers' first goal came in 27 seconds into the match when Washington's goalkeeper, Sam Fowler, swung and missed at a clearance and Clemson's Isaiah Reid was there to clean it up. Reid would get his second goal about 14 minutes later on a beautiful header to give his team a 2-0 lead.

From there, the Tigers would continue to put together solid offensive possessions while also maintaining a strong defensive back line.

Washington's offense began to pickup in the second half. The Huskies finished the final half with seven shots and four corners. In the last five minutes, they had a few opportunities to possibly get one on the board, but nothing fell their way.

Clemson goalkeeper George Marks played a perfect game saving the two opportunities that made it on net. He also helped diffuse a few jump-ball situations by keeping the ball off any Washington player's head.

Watch our interview with Clemson goalkeeper George Marks by clicking here.

This is head coach Mike Noonan's first title at the helm for Clemson. This was his second showing in a men's College Cup final and his eight NCAA tournament appearance.

As the game clock winds down, Clemson still leads this game 2-0, a lead the Tigers have held since the first 15 minutes of play.

With a win, Clemson would earn its third national championship and the first since 1987. This would also be the first title under Head Coach Mike Noonan.

After a pair of early goals in the first 15 minutes, including one just 26 seconds in, Clemson leads this title match 2-0 at the half. Isaiah Reid secured the brace to put the Tigers up.

Both teams have taken two shots a piece, while Clemson leads in shots on goal 2-1.

Isaiah Reid secures a brace within 15 minutes of this match. Reid perfectly placed a header in the top left corner.

ISAIAH AGAIN!!! THE HEADER, THE BRACE, IT'S 2-0 TIGERS JUST 15 MINUTES IN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH!!!!!!!#ClemsonUnited🧡💜
📺https://t.co/FLh9bAqTNK
📊https://t.co/wq7muCPwO2 pic.twitter.com/hydSR1DBDf

— Clemson Men's Soccer (@ClemsonMSoccer) December 12, 2021

After a whiff by Washington goalkeeper Sam Fowler, Clemson's Isaiah Reid puts the Tigers up 1-0.

ISAIAH PUTS US ON THE BOARD INSTANTLY!!! IT'S 1-0 TIGERS IN THE EARLY GOING!!!#ClemsonUnited🧡💜
📺https://t.co/FLh9bAqTNK
📊https://t.co/wq7muCPwO2 pic.twitter.com/rIdREqXX69

— Clemson Men's Soccer (@ClemsonMSoccer) December 12, 2021

Check out the starting lineups for both teams below:

Ladies and Gentlemen, your NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Starting XI.#ClemsonUnited🧡💜 pic.twitter.com/QhabaRpsRK

— Clemson Men's Soccer (@ClemsonMSoccer) December 12, 2021

Starting XI locked in for the National Championship!

30 minutes until we get going on ESPNU!#GoHuskies🐺 | 📲 https://t.co/jZrMm89ln7 pic.twitter.com/CrlmjuGt3k

— Washington Men's Soccer (@UW_MSoccer) December 12, 2021

It is a gorgeous day here in Cary, North Carolina, where the sun is shining over Sahlen's Stadium and it is a cool 52°.The NCAA DI men's soccer national championship is set to kick off in just over an hour, where No. 2 Washington will face No. 8 Clemson.

Clemson seeks its first DI men's soccer title since 1987, and its third overall. The Tigers last played in the championship match in 2015. Washington seeks its first title in program history, in its first appearance in a title game.

HOW TO WATCH:No. 8 Clemson vs. No. 2 Washington | Sunday, Dec. 12 | 2 p.m. ET | ESPNU

The NCAA DI men's soccer national championship is today, Sunday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. ET. You can watch Clemson and Washington battle for the College Cup title on ESPNU, and you can stay right here for live analysis and scores throughout the match.

Clemson seeks its first DI men's soccer title since 1987, and its third overall. The Tigers last played in the championship match in 2015. Washington seeks its first title in program history, in its first appearance in a title game.

HOW TO WATCH:No. 8 Clemson vs. No. 2 Washington | Sunday, Dec. 12 | 2 p.m. ET | ESPNU

For the first time in program history, No. 2 Washington is in the DI men's soccer national championship. Washington defeated Georgetown 2-1 to clinch its spot in the 2021 Men's College Cup final. The Huskies scored two second half goals, from Lucas Meeks andCharlie Ostrem. Hear from Meeks postgame here about making program history.

Clemson clinched its spot earlier in the evening, defeating Notre Dame in penalty kicks. Clemson GK George Marks put on a show in goal, with many clutch saves including one in the penalty shootout.Click here to watch our postgame interview with Marks.

Here is the schedule for the 2021 College Cup national championship:

No. 8 Clemson vs. No. 2 Washington | Sunday, Dec. 12 | 2 p.m. ET | ESPNU

The final of the 2021 Men's College Cup is set. Washington will face Clemson for the national championship.

The No. 2-seed Huskies defeated No. 3 Georgetown 2-1 in the second semifinal Friday night to advance to the final for the first time in program history. Washington will face Clemson, which beat Notre Dame in penalty kicks in the first semifinal.

All three goals of the Washington-Georgetown match came in the second half. The Huskies went ahead with a fortunate bounce off of a cross into the box, but their second goal was as pretty as you'll see on the pitch.

Three minutes after the first goal, Washington defender Charlie Ostrem delivered the goods with an unreal curler from the top of the box into the upper corner of the goal. Check it out below:

IT'S CHARLIE OSTREM AND IT'S ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!!!

A WONDER GOAL AND THE DAWGS LEAD 2-0!!!#GoHuskies🐺 | https://t.co/7Rupuvb4my pic.twitter.com/nnnqraWpqz

— Washington Men's Soccer (@UW_MSoccer) December 11, 2021

Georgetown's Zach Riviere scored in the 80th minute to give the match the tense finish it deserved. But despite multiple good looks at the equalizer, including perhaps the best one in the final seconds, the Hoyas could not find it.

It'll be No. 2 Washington vs. No. 8 Clemson for the title on Sunday afternoon.

With just 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Georgetown was able to get one back, but still trails Washington 2-1.

Georgetown's Zach Riviere converted a header off of a brilliant cross from Kieran Sargeant.

GOAL Riviere!
Georgetown 1
Washington 2
80'#HOYASAXA #NCAASoccer #MCollegeCup pic.twitter.com/hC3AJWDxTZ

— Georgetown Men’s Soccer (@GUHoyasMSoccer) December 11, 2021

Charlie Ostrem made a beautiful strike just outside of the box to double up the Huskies lead within minutes.

After a scoreless hour, we have two goals back to back.

IT'S CHARLIE OSTREM AND IT'S ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!!!

A WONDER GOAL AND THE DAWGS LEAD 2-0!!!#GoHuskies🐺 | https://t.co/7Rupuvb4my pic.twitter.com/nnnqraWpqz

— Washington Men's Soccer (@UW_MSoccer) December 11, 2021

Over 65 minutes into this match, Washington has finally broke through, in unusual fashion.

Washington's Lucas Meek sent in a ball across the face of goal that made its way past a Georgetown defender and a fellow Washington teammate. The cross bent in to the back post, despite it not initially being a shot on goal.

THE DAWGS TAKE THE LEAD!!!! IT'S LUCAS MEEK WITH THE GOAL AND WASHINGTON IS AHEAD 1-0 ON GEORGETOWN!!#GoHuskies🐺 | https://t.co/7Rupuvb4my pic.twitter.com/XlibHG15Xh

— Washington Men's Soccer (@UW_MSoccer) December 11, 2021

No. 2 Washington and No. 3 Georgetown are knotted at the half, tied 0-0.

The first 45 featured a scoreless half, with zero shots on goal by either team. Overall, both Washington and Georgetown have taken two shots each. Georgetown has maintained a slight edge in possession, however neither team has had any dangerous look on goal.

Click below for live stats:

No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Georgetown| 8:30 p.m. | ESPNU

HT | Through 45 minutes, neither team has registered a shot on goal and we are tied 0-0 with Georgetown. #GoHuskies🐺 pic.twitter.com/G2nuRYZFXh

— Washington Men's Soccer (@UW_MSoccer) December 11, 2021

After Clemson defeated Notre Dame in penalty kicks, the Tigers will await the winner of No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Georgetown.

We are underway in Cary, North Carolina with a trip to the national championship on the line.

Click below for live stats:

No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Georgetown| 8:30 p.m. | ESPNU

⚽️ TUNE IN ⚽️@UW_MSoccer
🆚@GUHoyasMSoccer

📺 @ESPNU #MCollegeCup pic.twitter.com/3FHGT1R9PP

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 11, 2021