The Clemson Tigers men’s soccer team began its Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) schedule with a 1-0 victory over Syracuse on Friday, September 4, 2026. Sophomore Cooper Hineline scored the decisive goal in the second half, securing the win for the No. 18 ranked Tigers.
The match, played in Syracuse, New York, saw Clemson improve its season record to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in ACC play, while Syracuse fell to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference. The Tigers demonstrated an aggressive offense, outshooting the Orange 19-6, with six shots on goal.
Hineline’s goal, his fourth of the 2026 campaign, came in the 67th minute. Freshman Johannes Kack provided the assist, deflecting the ball inside the six-yard box to Hineline, who then maneuvered around the goalkeeper for the score. Other notable offensive efforts included Xander Sevian, Martin Bakken, Alessio Andreottola, and Duncan Wilson, each contributing three shots, with Sevian, Andreottola, and Wilson placing one shot on goal.
The first half concluded in a scoreless tie, with Clemson recording 10 shots compared to Syracuse’s two. The Tigers maintained 60 percent possession during the opening 45 minutes. Junior Lukas Magnason and Sevian had Clemson’s best scoring opportunities in the first half; Magnason’s shot went wide in the 19th minute, and Sevian’s attempt was blocked by Syracuse’s goalkeeper in the 26th minute.
In goal for Clemson, graduate Aleksa Janjic made one save, earning his third win of the season and his first clean sheet of both the year and his Tiger career. Syracuse attempted to equalize in the 82nd minute, but Clemson’s defense blocked the shot. The Orange also had two unsuccessful free-kick attempts as the Tigers held on for the conference win.
The Tigers are scheduled to return to Historic Riggs Field for another ACC matchup on Friday, September 11, facing Notre Dame at 7 p.m. on ACCNX.
