Carolina suffered its first loss of the 2024 season in a back-and-forth match at No. 24 Clemson on Friday night. Despite the Tar Heels holding a 10-5 advantage on shots, the defending national champions found late magic twice to snatch a 3-2 win.

UNC got on the board first, as Martin Vician found the back of the net off a long pass by Luke Hille midway through the first half. But that lead held up for less than 10 minutes, as the Tigers equalized in the 32nd minute.

The score stayed 1-1 until the final 10 minutes, when chaos broke loose. The Tigers were awarded a penalty kick in the 84th minute, and Joran Gerbet slotted it home for his second goal of the night. Clemson led 2-1. Just 2:02 later, Carolina was awarded a penalty kick of its own, which Sam Williams converted to equalize at 2-2. But Clemson slingshot back in front after only 23 seconds, taking a 3-2 lead which would hold up for the remainder of the match.

The loss drops Carolina to 6-1-3 overall and 3-1-0 in ACC play. The Tar Heels will be back in action when they host College of Charleston on Tuesday, October 8 at 7 p.m. at Dorrance Field.

 

Featured image via UNC Men’s Soccer on Twitter

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