(5) Clemson soccer tops USC, 4-1

CLEMSON, S.C. (WOLO) — The South Carolina men’s soccer team was handed its first loss of the 2017 season on Friday night by No. 5 Clemson (3-0-0), 4-1. Sophomore Luca Mayr tallied the lone sore for the Gamecocks and senior Christoffer Wallander Ianev record his first assist of the season on the play.

The Tigers scored early in the match to go in front 1-0 on an own goal in the 11th minute. The score was setup on a corner kick into the box by Diego Campos. Clemson was aggressive on offense, tallying five shots in the game’s first 20 minutes.

The Gamecocks responded in the 25th minute with a quick strike goal by Mayr to tie it up 1-1. Wallander Ianev was able to get wide on the near side of the field, feeding a perfect pass into Mayr. He dribbled towards the out of bounds mark and fired one in far post for the score.

Clemson was able to retake the lead shortly after and swing momentum back in their favor. Jason Wright bended a shot on goal from just outside the 18. Goalkeeper William Pyle dove to his left and the ball went just past his outstretched fingertips for the score. The Tigers took a 2-1 lead into the break.

The Tigers broke the game open in the 66th minute when Patrick Bunk-Anderson headed in a corner kick on a set piece play. They scored another goal late, as the Gamecock offense was unable to get anything going in the second half.