Sept. 17, 2012
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina men’s soccer team is set to host intrastate rival Clemson on Tuesday at Stone Stadium. Below are details for the match.
GAME INFORMATION
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Columbia, S.C.
Series: Clemson leads, 23-15-1
Stadium: Stone Stadium
Tickets: Tickets
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Carolina Quick Hits
– South Carolina is in its 35th season of varsity soccer in 2012.
– South Carolina head coach Mark Berson is in his 36th season overall and his 35th season as head coach of the Gamecocks. He is assisted by former players Spencer Lewis and Joey Worthen, both in their first season. Another former player for the Gamecocks, Clark Brisson, is the volunteer assistant coach.
– The contest vs. Clemson marks Carolina’s fourth home contest of the season and first since Sept. 2.
– Tuesday’s contest marks the first for the Gamecocks since last Wednesday’s 3-2 double-overtime loss at No. 5 Charlotte, a span of six days.
– Tuesday is “National Cheeseburger Day,” and the first 100 cheeseburgers solid at the concession stand at Stone Stadium will be just $1.
– Junior striker Bradlee Baladez scored both Carolina goals vs. Charlotte last week, marking the first two goals of the season for the Dallas, Texas, native. Baladez was a Preseason All-Conference USA selection earlier this fall. He leads the Gamecocks with 14 shots on the year.
– Junior goalkeeper Alex Long collected a career high seven saves vs. Charlotte.
– Following Tuesday’s contest vs. Clemson, South Carolina begins Conference USA play when it travels to No. 23 Tulsa on Friday and SMU on Monday, Sept. 24.
– Sophomore midfielder Niklas Kivinen scored the first goal of his career in the impressive 1-0 victory at No. 2 USF on Sept. 6. The Mikkeli, Finland, native posted the score on a free kick opportunity in the first half.
– Junior netminder Alex Long posted his third shutout of the season, and the sixth of his career vs. USF. The Gamecocks now have three shutouts in six contests this season. The three shutouts in 2012 matches the season total from 2011.
– South Carolina ranks 15th in the nation in shutout percentage (Sept. 10 NCAA rankings).
– Former South Carolina goalkeeper Warren Lipka was honored with selection to the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame for the 2012 class. Lipka was inducted on Thursday, Sept. 13, in a ceremony at Williams-Brice Stadium.
– Carolina is receiving votes in the most recent NSCAA Top 25 Poll, which was released on Tuesday, Sept. 11. (The updated poll will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 18).
Scouting Clemson
Clemson, who returns nine starters from its 2011 squad, enters Tuesday’s contest with a 1-4-2 mark on the year. The Tigers’ victory came against USC Upstate in the season opener on Aug. 24. Clemson has also played two ACC contests on the season, holding an 0-1-1 record with a loss to Duke and draw vs. Wake Forest. Freshman forward TJ Casner and sophomore midfielder Manola Sanchez pace the sqaud with one goal each, while goalkeeper Cody Mizell has played the majority of time in net, holding a 1.28 goals against average on the year. The Tigers are coached by Mike Noonan in his third year with the program.
The Clemson Series
Clemson holds a 23-15-1 upperhand in the all-time series with South Carolina, but the Gamecocks enter the 2012 match having won four of the last five meetings between the two schools, having allowed the Tigers to score just two goals during the stretch. Carolina last defeated Clemson during the 2010 season, 2-0, at Stone Stadium.
Warren Lipka Honored With Selection To Hall Of Fame
Former South Carolina goalkeeper Warren Lipka (1982-85) was honored with selection to the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the 2012 class. Along with the other honorees, Lipka was inducted into the Hall of Fame on Thursday, Sept. 13, in a ceremony at Williams-Brice Stadium. Lipka, the 1985 National Goalkeeper of the Year, was also an All-American during his time at Carolina. He was the team captain of the 1985 squad that compiled the most wins in school history (20) and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals.
35th Season Notable
Over the course of 10 seasons, beginning with the 1985 campaign, Mark Berson led his team to the NCAA Tournament nine times out of those 10 years. During the stretch, the Gamecocks went to the NCAA Quarterfinals twice (1985, 1989) and the 1993 NCAA National Championship Game. Through the 2011 campaign, Carolina has advanced to 20 NCAA Tournaments, all under the direction of Berson.
Up Next For The Gamecocks
South Carolina hits the road for two consecutive matches when it travels to No. 23 Tulsa on Friday, and SMU next Monday. Visit GamecocksOnline.com for live stats for all matches.
