Sept. 11, 2002
Columbia, S.C. – The largest attendance in USC women’s soccer history witnessed a tight battle between No. 18 Clemson and South Carolina with Tiger midfielder Heather Beem scoring in the 87th minute propelling Clemson to a 1-0 win. Tonight’s crowd of 1,863 fans at Stone Stadium surpassed the previous mark of 1,208 vs. Georgia on September 11, 1998, four years ago.
“We proved tonight that we can compete with the top teams in the nation,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “The effort by every player tonight was outstanding. We met the challenge and hopefully we can move forward and continue to improve.”
Carolina goalkeeper Elise Matthews played the entire 90 minutes and made 10 saves for the Gamecocks.
The Tigers came away with the lone goal battling near the Gamecock box. Clemson forward Deligh Arrington battled in and a deflection of the ball sprung to Beem who shot at the Carolina net with Matthews diving and almost making the save, with the ball bouncing and trickling into the net at 87:18.
“Elise played terrific in goal for us tonight,” said USC head coach. “She kept us in the match with some great saves.”
Carolina had some close opportunities to go one up on the Tigers in both the first and second half. In the middle of the first half, forward Morgan McIntyre broke in on the Tiger goal on a pass by Jess Julin and shot just right wide of the goal. Forward Ashley Gosnell also broke in with 9:33 left in the match with a 10-yard shot on goal saved by Tiger goalkeeper Leigh Ann Harrison.
South Carolina will return to action on Saturday afternoon with a Noon match vs. the College of Charleston. Carolina is in the middle of a three-game homestand.
