CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS - Clemson (7-4-5) continued their winning streak with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Boston College (5-7-5) on Friday evening in Atlantic Coast Conference action. Juju Harris netted the decisive goal in the 10th minute to extend the Tigers' winning run to four matches.
The match's lone goal came early when Harris found the back of the net at 9:21, capitalizing on Clemson's strong start to the contest. The Tigers' efficient attacking play in the opening minutes proved enough to secure all three points against a resilient Boston College side.
The first half saw Boston College respond well to falling behind, generating several promising opportunities. Amalia Dray tested the Clemson defense with two blocked shots in quick succession around the 18th minute. The Eagles earned consecutive corners during this spell of pressure, while Georgina Clarke came close with a shot in the 24th minute that sailed just high and right of the target.
Tensions rose late in the first period when Clemson's Neely Kerr received a yellow card in the 29th minute for unsporting behavior. The Eagles continued to press, with Sadie Mathis forcing another save before the break. Multiple substitutions by both sides around the 34th minute, including the withdrawal of Natalie Brooks, Anna Castenfelt, and Reese Klein for Clemson, reflected the intense nature of the contest.
The second half featured increased offensive pressure from Boston College, who dominated the shot count. The Eagles recorded eight shots after the break, including dangerous attempts from Emily Mara, who struck the woodwork in the 84th minute, and Sophia Lowenberg, who tested the Clemson goalkeeper twice in the final ten minutes. Emily Mara received a yellow card in the 56th minute as the match's physicality intensified.
Final statistics heavily favored Boston College, who outshot Clemson 12-4 overall and earned eight corners to Clemson's one. However, the Tigers' defensive organization, particularly in the closing stages, proved decisive. The Clemson goalkeeper made seven crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet, while Boston College's netminder recorded two saves.
Individual performances of note included Amalia Dray, who registered multiple shot attempts for Boston College, and Juju Harris, whose goal proved the difference. Defensive standouts included Tatum Short and Maddie Costello for Clemson, who helped maintain the shutout despite sustained pressure.
The tactical battle saw Clemson effectively implement a counter-attacking strategy after taking the lead, while Boston College dominated possession but struggled to convert their territorial advantage into an equalizer. The Eagles' eight corner kicks reflected their sustained pressure, particularly in the second half.
This victory extends Clemson's impressive winning streak to four matches, solidifying their position in the ACC standings with a 4-3-2 conference record. For Boston College, the loss represents a setback following their recent victory over Syracuse, dropping their overall record to 5-7-5.
Both teams face challenging road tests ahead, with Clemson traveling to Duke and Boston College visiting Virginia on October 30. The Tigers will look to extend their winning run, while the Eagles aim to bounce back from this narrow defeat.