CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - Clemson defeated Duke 3-0 on Friday night at Historic Riggs Field, scoring three unanswered goals in the second half to hand the Blue Devils their first loss in six matches. The Tigers improved to 7-3-2 overall while Duke fell to 7-1-5 on the season.
Kwaku Agyabeng opened the scoring for Clemson in the 55th minute, finishing a sequence that began with a shot at 54:22 that was initially saved. Nathan Richmond provided the assist on the breakthrough goal. Misei Yoshizawa then took over the match with two goals in a 10-minute span. The Clemson midfielder scored his first in the 60th minute with a low right-footed shot, then added his second in the 64th minute to put the match out of reach for the visiting Blue Devils.
The first half proved to be a tightly contested tactical battle, with both teams creating limited clear-cut chances. Clemson registered the match's first significant opportunity when Wahabu Musah fired a shot toward goal in the fourth minute. Duke responded with efforts from Ulfur Bjornsson in the sixth minute and Max Simpson in the eighth minute, though both attempts were blocked by Clemson's defense. The Tigers continued to press, with Mason Jimenez and Nathan Richmond each having shots blocked in the 22nd and 23rd minutes. Duke's best first-half chance came when Aridon Racaj sent a shot high and wide right in the 27th minute, forcing a corner kick but failing to capitalize on the opportunity.
The second half belonged entirely to Clemson. After Alessandro Arlotti tested the Clemson goalkeeper with shots in the 46th and 49th minutes, the Tigers shifted momentum decisively. Following Kwaku Agyabeng's 53rd-minute shot that sailed over the crossbar, the midfielder made no mistake just two minutes later, breaking the deadlock with his finish. Yoshizawa's clinical finishing then put the match beyond doubt. His first goal came after Clemson earned a corner kick in the 63rd minute, and his second followed sustained pressure that saw the Tigers outshoot Duke significantly in the second 45 minutes.
The statistical breakdown reveals Clemson's dominance across the pitch. The Tigers outshot Duke 19-14 overall and held a commanding 7-2 advantage in shots on target. Clemson also won the corner kick battle 7-5, demonstrating superior territorial control and attacking threat. The match remained relatively clean until the final stages, with three yellow cards issued. Xander Sevian received Clemson's lone caution in the 45th minute for unsporting behavior, while Duke's Trevor Burns and Nikolai Bull Jorgensen picked up yellow cards in the 57th and 74th minutes respectively.
Several individual performances stood out in the match. Yoshizawa's brace highlighted his ability to find space in the attacking third, with his movement and finishing proving decisive. Agyabeng demonstrated composure to break the deadlock after his earlier miss, while Wahabu Musah was a constant threat before being substituted in the 81st minute for Duncan Wilson. For Duke, the goalkeeper made four saves to prevent a more lopsided scoreline, while Alessandro Arlotti led the visitors' attacking efforts with multiple shot attempts throughout the second half. Drew Kerr and Ulfur Bjornsson both had shots blocked in Duke's attempts to find an equalizer.
Tactically, Clemson's approach proved more effective as the match progressed. The Tigers utilized their width effectively, with frequent throw-ins and corner kicks creating opportunities in dangerous areas. Duke made multiple substitutions attempting to change the match's complexion, withdrawing Trevor Burns, Alessandro Arlotti, and Max Simpson in the first half before making additional changes at halftime and late in the second period. However, these adjustments could not stem Clemson's attacking tide once the breakthrough arrived.
For Clemson, this victory extends their winning streak to one match following a 1-0 loss at NC State on October 10. The Tigers' ability to maintain a clean sheet while converting their chances in the second half demonstrates growing maturity and tactical discipline. Duke, meanwhile, sees their five-match unbeaten streak come to an end after draws with Elon and Boston College in their previous two outings. The Blue Devils' inability to convert their 14 shot attempts and limited shots on target will be areas of concern.
The match's defining characteristic was Clemson's ruthless efficiency in the second half after a patient first 45 minutes. While Duke created opportunities, the Tigers' defensive organization limited clear chances, with the back line repeatedly blocking shots and the goalkeeper making key saves when called upon. Clemson's transition from absorbing Duke's pressure to establishing control proved decisive, with the three-goal margin reflecting the hosts' superiority after halftime.
Clemson will look to build on this momentum when they host UNCW on October 21 at 6:00 PM, while Duke returns home to face Queens (NC) on the same evening at 7:00 PM, seeking to bounce back from this setback and rediscover the form that had seen them go unbeaten in their previous five matches.