Sunday, December 1
Winston-Salem, N.C.
6 p.m.
Wake Forest University
2
vs
1
Clemson
Freshman Duo Powers Demon Deacons Past Clemson and Into the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament
12/1/2024 9:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Dylan Borso’s long-distance winner came just 67 seconds into overtime as the Demon Deacons defeated the defending National Champions.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Behind a golden-goal winner from freshman Dylan Borso, the No. 8 seeded Wake Forest men's soccer team (12-4-7) has advanced to its 10th Elite Eight in program history following a 2-1 victory over defending National Champion and No. 9 seeded Clemson (15-3-4) in the Round of 16 on Sunday night at Spry Stadium.
Clemson took the lead in the 21st minute, but freshman forward Ryan Belal equalized just before halftime after an excellent turn in the box led to a powerful right-footed strike that beat the keeper for his fourth goal of the season. Graduate student Prince Amponsah and redshirt sophomore Nico Rabiu both logged their third assists of the season on the goal.
Of note, Belal's goal was the first given up by Clemson in the run of play in the NCAA Tournament in nearly 600 minutes of action, dating back to the second round of the 2022 tournament.
After neither side was able to find a goal in the second half, the match went into overtime for the second-consecutive time between the two teams.
Borso's winner came just 67 seconds into overtime, as he dropped a Clemson defender and let it rip from distance and perfectly into the top-right corner. It marked his second-consecutive game with a goal and fourth of the season. Additionally, the match-winner now has 12 points on the year, good for the second-most on the team.
The Deacs Are Elite
For the 10th time over the last 19 seasons and the sixth occurrence under 10th-year head coach Bobby Muuss, the Demon Deacons have earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals.
Since 2006, the Deacs' 10 Elite Eight appearances are tied for most nationally as 55 different programs have made at least one appearance in the Round of Eight.
Home Win No. 111 Since 2015
With Sunday's victory over Maryland, Wake Forest has extended its nationally-best mark for home victories over the last decade to 111.
The Demon Deacons outpace the country in home victories over the last 10 seasons, trailed by Indiana (93) and Clemson (92).
Additionally, Wake Forest's home winning percentage over the last decade of 82.2 percent ranks third nationally, trailing only Indiana (83.8 percent) and Denver (83.3 percent).
How It Happened
Demon Deacon Details of Note
From Coach Muuss
"I'm just proud of this group. We went down a goal on a good goal from Clemson. They were defending National Champions for a reason. They're one of the best teams in the country. All year long, our guys have been able to go down a goal and then get one. It was our second shot of the game and we scored. We bent, but we didn't break. I thought our guys found a way. That's what this group has done all season, just trying to find ways and continue to be resilient. I couldn't be more proud of the group. We're down a couple more bodies today, and they just keep playing. Not that they surprise me, but I'm amazed by them each and every day. They motivate me to be a better coach."
Up Next
Wake Forest will look to make its seventh College Cup appearance and third in the last 10 seasons when the Deacs travel to Columbus to take on No. 1 Ohio State next weekend.
Clemson took the lead in the 21st minute, but freshman forward Ryan Belal equalized just before halftime after an excellent turn in the box led to a powerful right-footed strike that beat the keeper for his fourth goal of the season. Graduate student Prince Amponsah and redshirt sophomore Nico Rabiu both logged their third assists of the season on the goal.
Of note, Belal's goal was the first given up by Clemson in the run of play in the NCAA Tournament in nearly 600 minutes of action, dating back to the second round of the 2022 tournament.
After neither side was able to find a goal in the second half, the match went into overtime for the second-consecutive time between the two teams.
Borso's winner came just 67 seconds into overtime, as he dropped a Clemson defender and let it rip from distance and perfectly into the top-right corner. It marked his second-consecutive game with a goal and fourth of the season. Additionally, the match-winner now has 12 points on the year, good for the second-most on the team.
The Deacs Are Elite
For the 10th time over the last 19 seasons and the sixth occurrence under 10th-year head coach Bobby Muuss, the Demon Deacons have earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals.
Since 2006, the Deacs' 10 Elite Eight appearances are tied for most nationally as 55 different programs have made at least one appearance in the Round of Eight.
| Program | Elite Eight Appearances Since 2006 | Years Making Elite Eight |
| Wake Forest | 10 | 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2024 |
| North Carolina | 10 | 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2023 |
| Indiana | 7 | 2008, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023 |
| Maryland | 7 | 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018 |
| Stanford | 6 | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023 |
| Creighton | 6 | 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2022 |
| Notre Dame | 6 | 2006, 2007, 2013, 2018, 2021, 2023 |
Home Win No. 111 Since 2015
With Sunday's victory over Maryland, Wake Forest has extended its nationally-best mark for home victories over the last decade to 111.
The Demon Deacons outpace the country in home victories over the last 10 seasons, trailed by Indiana (93) and Clemson (92).
Additionally, Wake Forest's home winning percentage over the last decade of 82.2 percent ranks third nationally, trailing only Indiana (83.8 percent) and Denver (83.3 percent).
How It Happened
- Clemson had the first chance of the game in the eighth minute, as a great block from O'Gara kept the Tigers' first attempt out and the follow up struck the crossbar.
- The Tigers had another opportunity in the 16th minute, but their attempt went wide left.
- In the 18th minute, Wake Forest won the first corner of the night after some encouraging attacking play.
- Clemson took a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute.
- The visitors had the chance to double the lead shortly after, but O'Gara came up with another big block in the box.
- Alphin logged his first save of the contest with 14 minutes remaining in the first half as the Tigers rocked a shot right at him.
- Belal logged the first Wake Forest shot of the night in the 41st minute as his attempt from the edge of the box was deflected behind for a corner.
- Wake Forest equalized three minutes later as Belal's right-footed attempt through traffic found the back of the net after a great turn in the box.
- It marked Belal's fourth goal of the season, three of which have come in the 43rd minute.
- The goal was the first given up by Clemson in the run of play in the NCAA Tournament in nearly 600 minutes of action, dating back to the second round of the 2022 tournament.
- The two sides went into the break level at 1-1.
- Wake Forest started the second half on the front foot as White nearly beat the keeper with a powerful shot from a tough angle less than a minute in.
- Alphin was called into action in the 51st minute with an incredible diving stop and kept the match level.
- With 15 minutes remaining in regulation, Cummins had an attempt miss just wide and Borso had a shot blocked behind for a corner.
- The Demon Deacons kept the pressure up late in the second half as a dangerous cross from Umar was put behind for another Wake Forest corner.
- Neither side was able to find a separator in regulation as the match went into overtime.
- The Demon Deacons needed only 67 seconds in overtime to find the winner, as Borso's beautiful strike from outside the box found the top-right corner to give Wake Forest the 2-1 win.
Demon Deacon Details of Note
- Graduate Prince Amponsah made his 83rd career start, seventh-most in program history, and his 91st career appearance, tied for seventh-most in program history with Brad Dunwell (2015-18) and Sam Raben (2015-18).
- Senior Trace Alphin made his 77th career start, 20th-most in program history.
- Senior Bo Cummins made his 30th career start.
- Freshman Dylan Borso made his 10th career start.
- Sophomore Liam O'Gara earned his first start of the season at center back alongside Amponsah.
- Graduate Colin Thomas made his 82nd career appearance, tied for 17th-most in program history with 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy winner Ian Harkes (2013-16) and James Riley (2001-04).
- Junior Basit Umar made his 50th career appearance.
- Sophomore Jeffrey White made his 40th career appearance.
- With the victory, Wake Forest's lead in the all-time series against Clemson is 27-22-10.
- Wake Forest's record against Clemson under the direction of 10th-year head coach Bobby Muuss is now 9-5-3.
- Sunday's match marked the second-ever meeting between the Deacs and Tigers in the NCAA Tournament, with the previous showdown taking place on Nov. 30, 2002.
From Coach Muuss
"I'm just proud of this group. We went down a goal on a good goal from Clemson. They were defending National Champions for a reason. They're one of the best teams in the country. All year long, our guys have been able to go down a goal and then get one. It was our second shot of the game and we scored. We bent, but we didn't break. I thought our guys found a way. That's what this group has done all season, just trying to find ways and continue to be resilient. I couldn't be more proud of the group. We're down a couple more bodies today, and they just keep playing. Not that they surprise me, but I'm amazed by them each and every day. They motivate me to be a better coach."
Up Next
Wake Forest will look to make its seventh College Cup appearance and third in the last 10 seasons when the Deacs travel to Columbus to take on No. 1 Ohio State next weekend.
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
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Defender
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Midfielder
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Midfielder
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Midfielder
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Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
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