Luca Nikolai scored a golden goal from the penalty spot in the second period of extra time to help No. 7 seed UNC win 3-2 at No. 2 Clemson and advance to the ACC Tournament quarterfinals Thursday in Cary.
Heels Win and Advance ?
Luca Nikolai drew a penalty in the 106’ and converted from the spot to send us through to the ACC Semis on Thursday!#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/cBDJ9SJCMV
— UNC Men's Soccer (@UNCmenssoccer) November 8, 2026
The match was only in extra time because UNC had failed to hold on to a 2-0 lead in the first half. Goals from Nicolas Loebus in the 20th minute and Bertil Rygaard Hansen in the 29th had staked Carolina to the lead and silenced the crowd, with Loebus heading his goal in off a failed Clemson clearance and Rygaard Hansen slotting home a picture-perfect assist from Joschi Schelb.
Nico Loebus has us in front ?#GoHeels pic.twitter.com/cLkzYaWQQH
— UNC Men's Soccer (@UNCmenssoccer) November 8, 2026
Bertil makes it ✌️ #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/sEzgkf7BR0
— UNC Men's Soccer (@UNCmenssoccer) November 8, 2026
But the Tigers still had more tricks up their sleeve, unleashing a wave of offense in the second half. Clemson’s Martin Bakken cut the deficit to 2-1 less than seven minutes into the half, and Ransford Gyan equalized in the 70th minute. The Tigers had plenty of chances to find a late winner, including a point-blank chance in the 82nd minute which was chested over the crossbar and out of play. After UNC had limited Clemson to just four total shots in the first half, the Tigers totaled 10 in the second half.
Carolina keeper Alan Rutkowski made two saves in extra time to keep the Tar Heels afloat before a Clemson foul in the 106th minute gave UNC a chance to win it from the spot. Luca Nikolai did just that, booking the Tar Heels a trip to the semifinals for the first time since 2023. Nikolai’s winner just the Carolina’s fourth shot on goal of the entire match.
The winner and the celebration ?#GoHeels pic.twitter.com/ErULD2Mqdg
— UNC Men's Soccer (@UNCmenssoccer) November 8, 2026
The ACC semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 8 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. The Tar Heels will face either No. 3 seed Wake Forest or No. 11 seed NC State.
Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications
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Golden Goal Helps UNC Men’s Soccer Upset Clemson, Advance to ACC Semifinals Chapelboro.com.
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