Toby Corriston
Clemson men's soccer picked up its first win of the season at home against South Carolina in the Palmetto Series.
The Clemson men’s soccer team picked up its first win of the season following a 4-1 rout over the South Carolina Gamecocks at Historic Riggs Field.
After the No. 6 Tigers split a game against No. 7 Indiana, the team saw four different goal scorers on Tuesday night, with a crowd of over 6,500 people.
Consistently calling it one of the best atmospheres in college soccer, head coach Mike Noonan believes it puts the team up before the game even starts.
“We’re a goal up before the game starts with the crowd,” Noonan said after the game. “It’s 1-0 Clemson before we kick the ball off. We are hoping this Friday it’s going to be the same. This is awesome.”
Ransford Gyan fired in the first goal from a cross by Misei Yoshizawa for the opening goal in the 31st minute. The goal was Gyan’s second of the season, and the only one scored in the first half.
Gamecock goalkeeper Filip Versterre was responsible for Clemson’s second goal, sending a long ball that midfielder Nathan Richmond intercepted. With an open lane to the net, he placed a left-footed shot into the net for the team’s second goal of the game in the 54th minute.
While South Carolina searched for goals, the Tigers continued to counterattack and added another two scores from forward Wahabu Musah and Yoshizawa. Both players’ goals were their first of the 2025 campaign.
Clemson outshot the Gamecocks by a margin of 23-7 with nine shots on target to the away side’s three. Tiger goalkeeper Joseph Andema recorded two saves in the win.
After Andema suffered a season-ending leg injury as the season was wrapping up, Noonan is happy to have him back as he begins his senior season.
“I think everybody feels more secure with him back there,” Noonan said. “He’s been a four-year starter for us, and when you walk out on the field, you know that, in goal, we have someone who can win us a game.”
The Gamecocks got a goal back after Richmond’s in the 57th minute, coming from midfielder Mika Habel to eliminate the clean sheet. However, the change in the team’s buildup saw South Carolina bring more players into the attack, which led to costly Clemson counterattacks to put the game away.
Clemson United will be back in action against UAB on Friday night at Historic Riggs Field.