Gamecocks Men’s Soccer Sets New Attendance Record, but Falls to Rival Clemson

COLUMBIA, S.C. — No. 24 South Carolina dropped a 2-1 decision to No. 3 Clemson in its season opener on Friday evening. 6,892 fans were in attendance at Stone Stadium, the largest ever crowd in venue history.

The Tigers got the scoring started in the 14th minute when Austen Burnikel took a cross into the box and placed it low to the far side for a 1-0 lead. South Carolina wasted little time evening things up. Just 59 seconds later, a Torgeir Nyboe lob into the box found the head of Kevin Walker, who was able to put it home for his first goal of the season. Clemson reclaimed the lead in the 27th minute off of a free kick from 10 feet outside of the box by Aaron Jones. The teams entered the half with two shots on target apiece.

The second half saw neither team find the back of the net. Carolina’s best chance to knot things up came in the 51st minute when Bjorn Gudjonsson was sprung on a breakaway and took a shot in close that was saved by the Clemson goalkeeper. When all was said and done, the Gamecocks outshot the Tigers, 13-6.