Friday, October 16
Clemson, SC
7:30 PM
University of Louisville
at
Clemson University
Photo by: Nicole Finch | Louisville Athletics
No. 8 Louisville Heads to No. 4 Clemson for Top-10 ACC Showdown
October 15, 2026 | Men's Soccer
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The eighth-ranked University of Louisville men's soccer team hits the road for a top-10 Atlantic Coast Conference matchup against No. 4 Clemson on Thursday, Oct. 16, at Historic Riggs Field in Clemson, South Carolina. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on the ACC Network.
The Cardinals enter the contest at 10-1-2 overall and 3-1-1 in ACC play, riding a three-match winning streak after earning a 1-0 victory at No. 25 Syracuse on Oct. 10. Clemson enters at 10-2-1 overall and 4-1-0 in conference play, ranked fourth nationally in the United Soccer Coaches poll.
Louisville has reached double-digit wins for the first time since the 2023 season, when the Cardinals finished 12-6-3 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The Cardinals have scored 29 goals through 13 matches while allowing just 13, building a balanced attack that has produced goals from 11 different players.
Junior midfielder Giacomo Zizza has been a driving force behind Louisville's offensive production in his first season with the Cardinals. The Lehigh transfer leads the team with seven assists and 17 points while ranking second with five goals. His seven assists rank second in the ACC, and his three game-winning goals are tied for the conference lead.
Sophomore forward Andrés Escudero Martín leads Louisville with seven goals and 14 points through 13 appearances. His seven goals rank among the ACC's top marks, and he has converted both of his penalty-kick attempts this season.
Sophomore goalkeeper Nathaniel Abraham has started all 13 matches for Louisville, playing every minute while recording 27 saves, 10 victories and four shutouts. He most recently delivered four saves in the Cardinals' 1-0 road win at No. 25 Syracuse, earning ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Louisville has limited opponents to 13 goals and 40 shots on goal this season. The Cardinals will look to maintain that defensive discipline against a Clemson offense that has scored 38 goals in 13 matches.
SERIES HISTORY
Clemson holds a 9-4-1 advantage in the all-time series, including a 6-1 record in matches played in Clemson. Louisville's most recent victory over the Tigers came in 2022, when the Cardinals earned a 1-0 win at Lynn Stadium. Louisville is seeking its first road win in the series since a 2-1 victory on Oct. 27, 2017.
The teams last met on Nov. 6, 2024, when Clemson claimed a 3-1 victory. Louisville will look to snap a four-match losing streak against the Tigers and secure a significant result in the ACC standings.
UP NEXT
Louisville returns home to host Spalding on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m. ET at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium.
The Cardinals enter the contest at 10-1-2 overall and 3-1-1 in ACC play, riding a three-match winning streak after earning a 1-0 victory at No. 25 Syracuse on Oct. 10. Clemson enters at 10-2-1 overall and 4-1-0 in conference play, ranked fourth nationally in the United Soccer Coaches poll.
Louisville has reached double-digit wins for the first time since the 2023 season, when the Cardinals finished 12-6-3 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The Cardinals have scored 29 goals through 13 matches while allowing just 13, building a balanced attack that has produced goals from 11 different players.
Junior midfielder Giacomo Zizza has been a driving force behind Louisville's offensive production in his first season with the Cardinals. The Lehigh transfer leads the team with seven assists and 17 points while ranking second with five goals. His seven assists rank second in the ACC, and his three game-winning goals are tied for the conference lead.
Sophomore forward Andrés Escudero Martín leads Louisville with seven goals and 14 points through 13 appearances. His seven goals rank among the ACC's top marks, and he has converted both of his penalty-kick attempts this season.
Sophomore goalkeeper Nathaniel Abraham has started all 13 matches for Louisville, playing every minute while recording 27 saves, 10 victories and four shutouts. He most recently delivered four saves in the Cardinals' 1-0 road win at No. 25 Syracuse, earning ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Louisville has limited opponents to 13 goals and 40 shots on goal this season. The Cardinals will look to maintain that defensive discipline against a Clemson offense that has scored 38 goals in 13 matches.
SERIES HISTORY
Clemson holds a 9-4-1 advantage in the all-time series, including a 6-1 record in matches played in Clemson. Louisville's most recent victory over the Tigers came in 2022, when the Cardinals earned a 1-0 win at Lynn Stadium. Louisville is seeking its first road win in the series since a 2-1 victory on Oct. 27, 2017.
The teams last met on Nov. 6, 2024, when Clemson claimed a 3-1 victory. Louisville will look to snap a four-match losing streak against the Tigers and secure a significant result in the ACC standings.
UP NEXT
Louisville returns home to host Spalding on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m. ET at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium.
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Men's Soccer
MF
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