Clemson Soccer: Defending National Champion Men’s team tops preseason poll

The defending National Champion Clemson Soccer team was voted a unanimous number one in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll.

"“It is another first for our program and one we are proud of,” raved Head Coach Mike Noonan. “In the past few years, Clemson Men’s Soccer has attained a No. 1 final season ranking, a No. 1 RPI ranking, a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and now a No. 1 preseason ranking. We are always cognizant that the rankings at the end of the year are what is most important, and we are looking forward to starting the 2022 season on August 26 against Indiana at Riggs.”"

In what was a wild ride through the NCAA Tournament last year, the Tigers advanced on penalty kicks twice before defeating Washington 2-0 in the final to claim the programs third national championship in program history.

Along the way Clemson defeated the number nine, one and four seeds.

With six ACC teams in the top 25, it should be a competitive season as usual in the league.  In addition to the Tigers, Notre Dame is ranked fourth, Pittsburgh seventh, Duke twelfth, Wake Forest fifteenth and North Carolina twenty-fourth.

All-ACC players Ousmane Sylla and Hamady Diop return for Clemson, as does College Cup Offensive MVP Isaiah Reid.

Mike Noonan’s 13 Clemson Soccer team kicks off the season August 26th against perennial power Indiana in Clemson

This will be Mike Noonan’s 13th season at Clemson and the Tigers kick off the season August 26 at Historic Riggs Field against thirteenth ranked Indiana.

In twelve seasons at Clemson Noonan has collected a 140-72-35 record, including a 81-29-14 record over the past six seasons as the Tigers regained their dominance.

Prior to Clemson Noonan was Head Coach at Wheaton, New Hampshire and Brown and his overall record is 364-188-76.

Reid a senior from South Pointe High in Rock Hill, played 63 minutes and scored both goals for Clemson in the National Championship game vs. Washington.

Both Diop and Sylla are juniors from Dakar, Senegal.

Prior to the opener with Indiana, the Tigers play three exhibition games: Wofford in Spartanburg on August 13 and then two at home against Furman (August 16) and Georgia State (August 20).