Gamecocks Take On Fourth-Ranked Tigers on Friday Night
Carolina heads to Clemson coming off a 1-1 start in its opening weekend of play
COLUMBIA– Carolina men’s soccer make a short trip to Clemson for a 7 p.m. match on Friday night. The Tigers come in ranked fourth in the country, according to the United Soccer Coaches Poll. The Gamecocks saw an abundance of offense in their last outing, scoring four goals against Winthrop in a 4-1 victory last Sunday night.
Fans can watch a stream of the match on ACC Network Extra, which requires a proper subscription through your TV provider.
HISTORY MADE
The Gamecocks notched the first victory under Tony Annan last Sunday night, defeating Winthrop, 4-1.
Peter Clement, Lorenzo Nagy, Brian Banahan and Christian Kraus all netted a goal for Carolina on Sunday.
Clement’s goal in the 36th minute counted as the game-winner and sparked offensive flow for the Gamecocks. Clement headed one past Winthrop’s keeper off a cross from Logan Hitzeman to give Carolina a 2-1 advantage.
It’s the first time Carolina scored four or more goals since April 3 when they scored six goals in a shutout victory against UAB.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Clemson comes into the match ranked fourth in the Week 1 United Soccer Coaches Poll.
The Tigers are 2-0-0 with a 2-1 victory against St. John’s and a 5-0 victory against USC Upstate.
Isaiah Reid leads the Tigers with three goals through their first two matches.
Fourth-ranked Clemson will be the highest ranking for a Gamecock opponent since Carolina played top-ranked Wake Forest on Oct. 16, 2018.
George Marks is Clemson’s keeper. He is the reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Week. He is 2-0 this season and helped the Tigers shutout USC Upstate.
SERIES HISTORY
Series Record: Clemson leads 31-17-1
Last Meeting: 10/1/2020
Last South Carolina Win: 9/2/2014, 2-1 (2OT)
Last Clemson Win: 10/1/2020, 3-0
Last Tie: 10/8/2000, 0-0
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Tony Annan on …
… his feelings about his first rivalry match:
“I think we just need to continue to focus on being a good team, a great team, like we’ve set out to do from the beginning. I don’t think the rivalry and hype around the game should bother us. We have to concentrate on us and what we do and do it well rather than getting mixed up with any hype around the game.”
… what he has liked from his team through two matches:
“I’m pleased with the group mentality to press in transition and work hard to win the ball back. That’s improving week by week and day by day. I’m also pleased with the style of play and the possession.”
