Aug. 29, 2003
Clemson, S.C. – Kelly Schneider’s goal at 95:02 in the first overtime propelled #20 Clemson to a 1-0 win vs. South Carolina in the Gamecocks’ season opener on Friday evening at Clemson Field in front of 4,125 fans. South Carolina is now 0-1 on the 2003 season with Clemson improving to 1-0. Friday night’s match was the first overtime match in the USC-Clemson series.
“We played a much better second half and our players continued to work hard throughout the match,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “We competed well and showed a lot of heart and I think we learned a lot tonight.”
Schneider, who led both teams in shots with six, knocked in a rebound from Carolina goalkeeper Elise Matthews into the right side of the net for the lone goal of the match. Courtney Foster was credited with the assist on Schneider’s goal.
The loss spoiled a solid outing from Matthews in net for USC. Matthews made seven saves and had several tremendous stops inside the penalty box. Clemson finished the night with a 16-5 shot advantage, but just 7-5 in the second half and overtime periods.
After a first half controlled on the offensive side by Clemson, the Gamecocks stormed back and put together several chances for the first goal of the match. Carolina came close to scoring at 73:56 in the match as freshman MA Foster broke through the defense and fired a shot past Clemson goalkeeper Lauren Whitt and just two feet wide of the right corner post. Sophomore Amanda Thurber also came close under three minutes remaining with two chances, once robbed on a save from Whitt just inside the box and another shot from outside the “18” that went wide of the goal.
“We’re happy with the chances we had in the second half,” said Smith. We had a couple of close plays that almost changed the outcome.”
South Carolina opens a three-game homestand on Tuesday, September 2 at 7 p.m. vs. Furman at Stone Stadium. Carolina will also host Charleston Southern on Friday, September 5 and close out the weekend on Sunday, September 7 vs. Dartmouth.
