Clemson captured the 2021 Men's College Cup on Sunday after defeating Washington 2-0 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC, behind two goals from junior forward Isaiah Reid — the first coming just 26 seconds into the match.
A Tigers clearance was launched up the pitch into Washington's third, and Huskies goalkeeper Sam Fowler rushed out to meet the danger with Reid chasing. But the sophomore keeper failed to make any contact with his attempted hoof, and Reid calmly guided a left-footed effort into the empty net.
26 seconds in and @ClemsonMSoccer takes a 1-0 lead! #MCollegeCup pic.twitter.com/z4jooztvca
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 12, 2021
14 minutes later, Reid made it 2-0 by planting a looping header back across goal and into the far corner.
That's what we call using your head!@ClemsonMSoccer leads 2-0.#MCollegeCup x ESPNU pic.twitter.com/d0TmtODTPT
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 12, 2021
In Clemson's remarkable Cinderella story, this represented the team's largest margin of victory in the tournament. In the second round, Clemson beat Denver 1-0 in extra time. In the third, Clemson scored with one minute remaining in regular time to beat Kentucky 2-1. The Tigers then got by Oregon State in the quarterfinals in a penalty shootout, and they again triumphed in a shootout win over Notre Dame in the semis.
Let the celebration begin!#MCollegeCup x @ClemsonMSoccer pic.twitter.com/tQkY1n7OTJ
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 12, 2021
They were a team of destiny.
It's Clemson's third title but first since 1987. The first came in 1984.
NATIONAL CHAMPION @ClemsonMSoccer is your 2021 national champion!#MCollegeCup pic.twitter.com/ezMkXytzYc
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 12, 2021
