WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – An early goal gave American University men's soccer a 1-0 lead that they held for almost 50 minutes, but heavy pressure by Clemson to open the second half and a handball call resulting in the go-ahead penalty kick in the 62nd minute helped the No. 1 seed Tigers avoid an upset on Sunday evening.
 
QUICK NOTABLES

• David Coly continued his scoring streak, finding the back of the net in the 4th minute to put AU on top.
• This marks the sixth straight game with a goal for Coly, a feat no Eagle has accomplished since at least 2001. Only three Eagles since 2001 have even scored a goal in three straight games (Joel Hart in 2015, Alassane Kane in 2012, and Garth Juckem in 2004).
• Jake Agnew played all 90 minutes in goal, picking up a season-high five saves.
• AU's season ends in the NCAA Second Round after winning the Patriot League title for the first time since 2004 and advancing in the NCAA Tournament for the eighth straight appearance.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• American controlled the ball right away with Jerry Zouantcha placing a shot on goal 15 seconds into the game.
• In the 4th minute, Coly took a nice ball into the box from Zouantcha and placed a one-timer across his body for a goal. It was his seventh goal of the season.
• AU's defense, led by center back Oscar McConnell, played a brilliant first half to hold Clemson scoreless despite the Tigers firing off nine shots in the frame.
• American took a 1-0 lead into the locker room, which was just the third time this season that Clemson had trailed at intermission.
• In the first six minutes of the second half, Agnew picked up three more saves.
• The Tigers ran a play from a corner kick that started with a short pass before being redirected to the far post and headed in for the equalizer.
• The game truly changed after Ethan Boyle blocked a dangerous chance for the Tigers in the box but was whistled for a handball. The infraction sent Clemson to the penalty spot where James Brighton buried what turned out to be the eventual game-winning goal.
• Throughout the final 15 minutes, American had a couple runs for an equalizer, including a chance as the clock was inside one minute remaining. McConnell was fouled about 30 yards out, setting the Eagles up for a free kick.
• AU scrambled to got the free kick off in time but couldn't redirect the ball toward goal, ending the game in a narrow 2-1 loss.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• American had three shots in the first eight minutes of the game before being held without a shot the rest of the way.
• Clemson created five corner kick opportunities while AU only mustered one.
• Zouantcha picked up his second assist of the tournament after previously not recording a helper since Nov. 2, 2018 against Army.

UP NEXT

• AU ends the season with a 4-2-3 record.
• Six seniors suited up in their final game in an American uniform on Sunday: McConnell, Agnew, Nick Dimitrijevic, Kyle Hellmann, Brenner Jarrad and Al-Ameen Salako.
• After previously not recording a win in the postseason during their careers, this senior class led this year's team to a Patriot League title and a spot in the NCAA Second Round, going 2-1-1 in postseason play.

KEEP UP WITH US

• For the latest on American University Men's Soccer, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_MSoccer), Facebook (/AU.MSoccer) and Instagram (@au.msoccer).