Clemson Ranked Second, Smith and Barber Garner National Recognition
CLEMSON, S.C. — Earlier today, United Soccer Coaches tabbed Clemson as the nation’s second-ranked team in the association’s latest weekly rankings. Clemson ascends to the second position after spending last week ranked fourth. Today’s announcement makes this the eighth week this season, and 180th week in program history, Clemson is ranked amongst the top five nationally.
Earlier today, Kimarni Smith was tabbed as the Player of the Week by TopDrawerSoccer.com and College Soccer News. Both media outlets also named Smith to their respective Team of the Week. The recognition is earned after Smith contributed seven points in Clemson’s convincing victory over the then fifth-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies on Sunday. In the match, Smith logged the second hat-trick of his career, with the three goals serving as the second hat-trick in ACC Tournament history. Smith’s seven points in the match are also an ACC Tournament single-match record.
This is the second time this season Smith has been named Player of the Week by both media outlets. This is also the third week that both outlets have named the senior forward to their respective Team of the Week.
Grayson Barber joined Smith on both Team of the Week lists, as the junior from Elgin, S.C., played a pivotal role in the Tigers’ success over the weekend. Barber contributed an assist on the Tigers’ second and fourth goals, making him just the third Tiger in ACC Tournament history to record two assists in a match. The pair of assists bring Barber’s total to five on the season.
This is the third time this season that Barber has been named to TopDrawerSoccer.com‘s Team of the Week and the second time being named to the Team of the Week for College Soccer News.
Clemson now has its sights set on its ACC Semifinal match tomorrow evening in Chapel Hill, N.C., against the Virginia Cavaliers. The match will kickoff at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on ACCN.
For all of the most up-to-date information regarding Clemson men’s soccer, be sure to follow @ClemsonMSoccer on Twitter.
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Photo courtesy of Natalie Ledonne, Duke Athletics.
