Photo: Lyndsay Radnedge/ISI Photos
The First Round had everything, including several historical records broken, setting up for an exciting Quarterfinals this weekend before the tournament finishes in Cary, NC. There were three road upsets, including the lowest seed ever to advance, and the Wake Forest/SMU game matched the most goals ever scored in an ACC Tournament fixture.
Here’s a recap of all seven games:
#3 NC State 3 #14 Louisville 0
The Wolfpack looked every bit like a top 5 nationally ranked team in their First Round match as they cruised to their 3-0 win over Louisville. They scored as many goals as the Cardinals had total shots to help highlight how dominant their performance on both sides of the ball was. Their attacking-minded fullbacks provided plenty of width, and this led to an assist for their right back, Calem Tommy, as he provided the cross to open the scoring. Drew Lovelace, Carlos Santamaria, and Thomas Lamaille were the NC State goalscorers.
The Wolfpack will host #6 seed Syracuse on Sunday at 6 PM ET.
#6 Syracuse 2 #11 Virginia Tech 1
Syracuse was able to come away with the 2-1 win after an exhilarating contest where both teams had opportunities to score. Goalkeeper Tomas Hut needed to step up with six saves to help secure the win for the Orange, while their defender Tim Brdaric scored a brace. The game was level at halftime, 1-1, after Brdaric got the first of his two goals, and then Virginia Tech’s Amir Ariely equalized. Brdaric’s second-half goal was enough to secure the win.
Syracuse travels to #3 NC State on Sunday at 6 PM ET.
#13 Pittsburgh 1 #4 Clemson 0
Pittsburgh had one shot in the first half, but it was enough to give them the lead with Lasse Dahl’s goal, and they were able to hang on after facing 20 Clemson Tiger shots. Pitt’s goalkeeper Jack Moxom made five saves to help secure the clean sheet and the record-setting upset as they became the lowest seed to advance past the First Round in ACC Tournament history.
The Panthers travel to #12 California on Sunday at 2 PM ET. The winner of this game will break the record as the lowest seed to ever make an ACC Semifinal.
#12 California 2 #5 Duke 0
California pulled a big upset at Duke by taking a first half lead from an Alfredo Ortiz go ahead goal. In the second half Luka Lukic iced the game with a penalty kick goal. California’s goalkeepers Connor Lambe (starter) and Marco Brougher each played a half and tallied five saves total to keep the clean sheet against the Blue Devils.
In a surprising turn of events the Bears now get to host their Quarterfinal matchup against #13 Pitt who also pulled off an upset.
#7 SMU 5 #10 Wake Forest 4
SMU and Wake Forest’s match was an absolute goal scoring thriller. Wake Forest’s Cooper Flax scored a brace in the first half to give them a 2-1 lead going into halftime. Stephan Soghomonian scored SMU’s first half goal. SMU then came flying back with three unanswered goals from Enzo Panozzo, Slade Starnes, and Milton Lopez in nine minutes in the second half taking a 4-2 lead. Flax was then issued a red card making things even bleaker for the Demon Deacons, however the final minutes of the match were an absolute blitz as Wake Forest found two late goals from Nico Rabiu and Ryan Belal while down a man. SMU responded with a goal from Landon Hickam in the final minute to secure the win.
The Mustangs travel to face #2 Stanford on Sunday at 8 PM ET.
#9 North Carolina 3 #8 Notre Dame 1
The Tar Heels jumped out to a comfortable lead with two goals in the first half from Nacho Abeal and Charlie Antonelius. The lead became even more secure with a third goal from Dan Klink in the second half. Mitch Ferguson scored a late goal for Notre Dame to ruin the clean sheet as consulation. It was a story of one team finishing their chances while the other could not. All three of UNC’s shots on target found the back of the net, while the Fighting Irish only found one goal from six shots on target.
North Carolina now travels to face #1 Virginia on Sunday at 4 PM ET.
#2 Stanford 4 #15 Boston College 2
Boston College looked like they were about to pull off another epic upset on what was already a thrilling opening round of games when they jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead against the Cardinals with a Michael Asare brace. Stanford responded with four unanswered goals. Will Cleary scored a brace, while Jack Pymm and Tomo Allen also had goals for the Cardinals.
Stanford hosts #7 SMU in the Quarterfinals on Sunday at 8 PM ET.
