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Home teams sweep ACC men’s first round; Pitt to host Virginia Tech on Sunday

Photo courtesy Pitt Athletics

From University of Pittsburgh / ACC reports

The four higher-seeded home teams prevailed in first-round play of the 2021 ACC Men’s Soccer Championship.

Notre Dame, Wake Forest, North Carolina and Virginia Tech all recorded shutouts as they moved onto the quarterfinals.

This means that the ACC’s top seed, Pitt, will now host it’s last opponent, Virginia Tech, on Sunday afternoon at Ambrose Urbanic Field (4 p.m. kickoff).

If you might recall, Pitt defeated Virginia Tech last Friday to clinch the Coastal Division title for the second consecutive season.

FINAL: Pitt 4, Virginia Tech 1

The quarterfinal round features a quadruple-header on Sunday on ACC Network and begins at 2 p.m. with No. 3 seed Duke hosting No. 6 Wake Forest. Following Pitt’s 4 p.m. match, No. 4 seed Louisville plays host to No. 5 Notre Dame at 6 p.m. The quarterfinals are capped off at 8 p.m. with No. 2 seed Clemson taking on No. 7 North Carolina.

The semifinals will be played Wednesday, Nov. 10, at campus sites, with the matches airing on ACC Network at 5 and 7 p.m. The championship match will be broadcast from WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina, on ESPNU on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m.

No. 7 North Carolina 1, No. 10 Syracuse 0 (2OT)
North Carolina (12-5-1) and Syracuse (9-7-2) battled into the second overtime period before the Tar Heels broke through in the 106th minute. After Syracuse was called for a foul in the box, UNC’s Milo Garvanian stepped to the spot and buried the penalty kick for the golden goal.

Syracuse out-shot UNC, 9-6. Tar Heels goalkeeper Alec Smir made four saves in recording the clean sheet.

No. 5 Notre Dame 1, No. 12 NC State 0
Notre Dame (10-5-2) broke through in the 53rd minute when Dawson McCartney converted on a penalty kick. The Fighting Irish out-shot NC State (7-8-2), 11-6, and held a 4-2 edge in shots on goal.

No. 8 Virginia Tech 1, No. 9 Boston College 0 (OT)
Virginia Tech (10-4-3) controlled the run of play throughout before Jack Dearie chipped a shot home in the 97th minute for the golden goal. The Hokies out-shot Boston College (6-7-2) 15-1 in the match and had the game’s only three shots on goal.

No. 6 Wake Forest 3, No. 11 Virginia 0
The Demon Deacons (11-5-1) rolled into the quarterfinals with the decisive win, getting goals from Omar Hernandez (21st minute), Kyle Holcomb (42nd) and Leo Guarino (69th).

Wake Forest out-shot Virginia (6-9-3), 17-6 and held a 13-1 edge in shots on goals. UVA goalkeeper Holden Brown made 10 saves in the defeat.

Tickets are on sale now for the championship match at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina and can be purchased HERE. General admission tickets are $10. Admission is free for youth ages 18 and under, as well as students of ACC institutions (with valid ID).

Clemson is the tournament’s reigning champion. The Tigers defeated Pitt, 2-1, for the 2020 championship.

2021 ACC Men’s Soccer Championship
First Round – Wednesday, Nov. 3
at No. 7 North Carolina 1, No. 10 Syracuse 0 (2OT)
at No. 5 Notre Dame 1, No. 12 NC State 0
at No. 8 Virginia Tech 1, No. 9 Boston College (OT)
at No. 6 Wake Forest 3, No. 11 Virginia 0

Quarterfinals – Sunday, Nov. 7
No. 6 Wake Forest at No. 3 Duke | 2 p.m. | ACCN
No. 8 Virginia Tech at No. 1 Pitt | 4 p.m. | ACCN
No. 5 Notre Dame at No. 4 Louisville | 6 p.m. | ACCN
No. 7 North Carolina at No. 2 Clemson | 8 p.m. | ACCN

Semifinals – Wednesday, Nov. 10
Wake Forest/Duke vs. North Carolina/Clemson | 5 or 7 p.m. | ACC Network
Notre Dame/Louisville vs. Virginia Tech/Pitt | 5 or 7 p.m. | ACC Network

Final – WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, N.C. – Sunday, Nov. 14
2 p.m. | ESPNU

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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