Men’s soccer secures 3-2 victory in Palmetto Series

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina men’s soccer team (3-0) won its Palmetto Series matchup Friday night (Aug. 28) in front of a record crowd at Stone Stadium 3-2 over No. 16 Clemson (2-1).

The announced attendance of 7,671 is the largest crowd in the 49-year history of the men’s soccer program. It is also the highest attended men’s soccer game in the NCAA this season.

The Tigers had their first shot on target in the second minute denied by a diving save from South Carolina goalkeeper Noah Scheidweiler.
Carolina opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Mika Habel dribbled in from the right side where he found Angel Lopez just outside the 6-yard box. Lopez made a quick touch and found the far-left post.

Lopez doubled the South Carolina lead 1:15 later, heading home a cross from Alejandro Velazquez-Lopez into the bottom right corner in the 24th minute. The brace took Lopez’s point tally to eight on the season and his third goal of the season.

Clemson converted a penalty kick in the 39th minute to cut the deficit at the half.

In the 49th minute, Habel’s corner kick was headed on by Yoni Perez before deflecting off the arm of a Clemson defender. The referee awarded a penalty and Velazquez-Lopez converted for his third goal of the season, and his second PK.

Clemson scored their second in the 52nd minute. Arnar Adalsteinsson came up with a crucial blocked shot off the line in the final three minutes. Scheidweiler made one final save with under three minutes to play and cement the victory.

The Tigers finished with 18 shots, six on target, while Carolina recorded 13 shots with four on goal. Clemson led 11-to-2 on corner kicks. Scheidweiler finished his night with a season-high four saves.

The Gamecocks improve to 3-0 on the season for the first time since 2014.

South Carolina travels to take on Charlotte September 3 at 7 p.m.