Clemson women’s soccer hosts Auburn Friday in Home Opener

CLEMSON, S.C. (WOLO) — Clemson women’s soccer will host Auburn Friday at 7:30 p.m at Historic Riggs Fields, Clemson, S.C. The Tigers opened the season with a 4-0 victory over SIU Edwardsville in Bloomington, IN, on Friday, Aug. 18 and a 1-0 win at Indiana on Sunday, Aug. 20. Auburn opened the season with a 3-0 win over South Alabama on Friday, Aug. 18 in Auburn, AL.

The last time the two teams met at Historic Riggs Field was on Aug. 25, 2014, with a Clemson win, 2-1.

Clemson Head Coach Eddie Radwanski hit the 200-career win milestone with the 4-0 win over SIUE. Tiger freshman forward Mariana Speckmaier had her first career goal and tacked on two more for a hat trick, becoming the 15th player in Clemson history to record a hat trick. Speckmaier is also tied sixth in the nation for goals (3). Graduate midfielder Jenna Polonsky also scored against SIUE, while assisting on all three of Speckmaier’s goals. Sophomore Melanie Stiles earned her first two career starts in goal against SIUE and Indiana, recording six saves along with two wins. Tigers Jenna Polonsky, Kimber Haley and Sam Staab were also named to the Hoosier Challenge Cup All-Tournament team.

Auburn tied 2-2 in double overtime against Lipscomb on Sunday, Aug. 20. Senior Courtney Schell cut the lead in half in the 72nd minute. Rocio Sanders tied the match at 89:29. Courtney Schell, senior Kristen Dodson, junior Sarah Le Beau and sophomore Bri folds were named as honorees on the SEC Preseason Watch List.

Clemson has a 6-1-1 record in the series against Auburn, which dates back to 1994, the inagural season for the Clemson program. Clemson defeated Auburn, 3-0. The last regular season meeting between the two teams was a 2-0 victory for Clemson on Aug. 19, 2016 at the Auburn Soccer Complex. Auburn finished last season 17-7-0 overall and 9-2-0 in the SEC.