Cody Mizell's 10 saves, rare GK assist help Tigers to 2-0 upset of No. 14 BC

The Clemson men’s soccer team struck for a goal by freshman Amadou Dia in the 27th minute, added another by freshman Iain Smith just before full-time, and got a season-high 10 saves from goalkeeper Cody Mizell in a 2-0 upset victory over 14th-ranked Boston College Friday night at Riggs field.

With the win, Clemson snapped a three-match losing streak and improved to 4-7 overall and 2-4 in the ACC. Boston College fell to 9-4 overall and 2-3 in league play.

The Tigers broke on top when Dia scored for the Tigers at the 26:59 mark. Freshman Brynjiar Benediktsson played the ball from the middle to Smith, who crossed to Dia to set up the freshman’s third goal of the season.

The Tigers protected their 1-0 lead until the end, when two oddities occurred on Clemson’s clinching goal.

Smith scored his first goal of the regular season with just one second remaining – at the 89:59 mark. This tied the Clemson record for the latest goal scored in regulation in school history. Jimmy Glenn scored with one second remaining in the Tigers' 2-1 upset-win at number-one ranked Virginia in Charlottesville, VA on October 10, 1993. Just as unusual was the fact that Clemson’s goalkeeper, Mizell, assisted on the goal.

Mizell punted the ball to the left, creating a one-on-one situation for Smith and Boston College's goalkeeper Justin Luthy. Smith fired a diagonal shot to the right wall of the netting from 18 yards out that beat Luthy to his left.

Mizell withstood a 19-shot Boston College attack. Clemson managed seven shots against the Eagles’ defense.

"Its great to get the win," said Mizell. "Our defense played great. I give the credit to our back four. They really played great together tonight. They blocked a lot of shots and crosses in the match."

"Any ACC win is special," said Clemson coach Mike Noonan. "This team has been searching for an identity. Tonight they were gritty and they found a way to win. This was our best effort in the past two weeks. They gave the extra effort here and the extra effort there.

“The freshmen are starting to show signs of maturing as we are in the sixth and seventh weeks of the season. I thought Phanuel Kavita played great in the back as well as Alex Stockinger, Jack Metcalf and Riley Sumpter.”

Clemson will play host to Furman on Tuesday, October 18, at 7 p.m. in the Tigers' next action.

Clemson--Amadou Dia (Brynjar Benediktsson, Iain Smith) 26:59

Clemson--Iain Smith (Cody Mizell) 89:59

Shots: Clemson 7, Boston College 19

Corner Kicks: Clemson 3, Boston College 7

Saves: Cody Mizell (CU) 10, Justin Luthy (BC) 0

Fouls: Clemson 11, Boston College 8

Attendance: 1,212