The South Carolina's men's soccer team lost 4-1 to the Clemson Tigers on Tuesday night, hosted at Historic Riggs Field in the Palmetto Series.
The first half was a back-and-forth battle between South Carolina and Clemson. Both sides created early scoring chances, with Clemson pressing through corner kicks and shots while South Carolina's senior forward Tyler Trimnal tested Clemson's senior goalkeeper Joseph Andema twice.
South Carolina’s sophomore goalkeeper Filip Versterre kept the Gamecocks level with several key saves, but Clemson broke through in the 31st minute when sophomore midfielder Ransford Gyan scored off an assist from senior midfielder Misei Yoshizawa and freshman midfielder Gabriel Santuari.
South Carolina earned late corner kicks and a look from junior midfielder Jonah Bigger, but Clemson’s pressure carried them into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Clemson controlled much of the second half and extended its lead in the 53rd minute when senior midfielder Nathan Richmond scored to make it 2-0. Just four minutes later, junior midfielder Mika Habel answered for South Carolina off a setup from freshman forward Matthew DeJianne, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The Gamecocks made several substitutions to push for an equalizer, but the Tigers' depth proved decisive. Sophomore forward Wahabu Musah struck in the 79th minute and Yoshizawa added another in the 88th to seal a 4-1 loss for the Gamecocks.
With the loss, South Carolina fell short in its rivalry matchup despite showing moments of fight early in the second half.
Versterre's Key Role Between the Posts
South Carolina's goalkeeper Versterre played every minute of all 17 matches in the 2024 season, finishing with 57 saves, a .750 save percentage, and five shutouts. In this match, he played a key role in keeping the match competitive, especially during Clemson's sustained second-half pressure.
He came up with saves to keep South Carolina competitive, including a strong stop on Clemson's junior defender Arthur Duquenne's shot in the 74th minute, to prevent the deficit from growing even earlier. Without his interventions, the Gamecocks could have fallen behind by a wider margin much sooner. His performance underscored the importance of stability in goal, even in a difficult loss.
Versterre's positioning and quick reactions frustrated Clemson attackers throughout the match, forcing the Gamecocks into low-percentage shots and preventing dangerous scoring opportunities. Additionally, his ability to organize the backline and communicate helped South Carolina maintain structure under sustained pressure, giving the Gamecocks a platform to attempt a comeback.
Missed opportunities for South Carolina
South Carolina generated several promising looks in the second half but struggled to capitalize. Habel, who had two assists in a previous match against Queens, scored the lone goal in the 57th-minute. Despite generating multiple shots, many were either saved, blocked or missed the target, keeping Clemson ahead.
Even late corner kicks failed to produce a second goal, leaving the Gamecocks unable to build on its momentum. The team's inability to convert on these opportunities highlighted a need for precision and composure in front of goal. Additionally, Clemson's defense remained resolute, neutralizing South Carolina's offensive threats and maintaining its lead throughout the match.
Defensive lapses after scoring
South Carolina displayed resilience by responding quickly to Clemson's second goal, with Habel's strike in the 57th minute narrowing the deficit to 2-1. However, the Gamecocks struggled to maintain its defensive organization after the equalizer.
Clemson regained momentum, creating pressure through strategic substitutions and depth in its attacking lineup. This sustained pressure culminated in two more goals for the Tigers, sealing a 4-1 loss for the Gamecocks.
Despite the loss, South Carolina's ability to respond quickly highlighted its competitive spirit and potential growth in future matches. The Gamecocks' defensive lapses after the equalizer underscored the need for improved communication and composure under pressure. Addressing these areas will be crucial for South Carolina as it aims to build upon this experience and strengthen its defensive resilience in upcoming fixtures.
What's next?
The Gamecocks (1-1) will face the USC Upstate Spartans (0-1-1) on Friday, Aug. 29. The match will be streamed on ESPN+ with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.