Brian Warner
Sophomore midfielder Ransford Gyan helped lead Clemson to a 3-2 win against Pitt.
On Oct. 16, Clemson’s star midfielder Ransford Gyan was ranked No. 3 in TopDrawerSoccer’s Men’s Midseason Top 100 Players to Watch list.
This was the second appearance of Gyan’s name in NCAA headlines in the past few days, as he was recently named on the Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List as a potential suitor for the title of national player of the year.
Gyan has become the number one player on this championship-hopeful team and a star in the general NCAA soccer world — in only his sophomore season. He is one of five sophomores this year to be named to the Hermann Trophy watchlist and would become the fifth Clemson player to ever win the award if he hoists it in January.
The 5-foot-3 sensation has risen into Clemson legend during his second year. In only 12 games so far, he has scored eight goals and drawn seven assists for a total of 23 points in the books.
This is already a 7-point improvement from his ACC Freshman of the Year campaign last year, and he’s only halfway through the season.
Gyan is currently tied at No. 10 in the NCAA for total assists, tied at No. 8 for assists per game with 0.64 and tied for No. 6 in points per game with 2.09. He is second in the ACC for points, behind NC State’s Donavan Phillip.
Formerly a two-time Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year in high school, Gyan has utilized his short stature, yet lightning speed and incredible footwork, to lead the Tigers to a 7-3-2 record. They are No. 2 in the ACC and have a 4-1-1 conference record.
The Tigers most recently toppled No. 10 Duke at Historic Riggs Field, 3-0, to add another major conference win to their resume, drawing nearer to a postseason push to return to championship aspirations.
Arguably, there’s nothing more exciting to watch in NCAA men’s soccer than Gyan’s flashiness on the field. He adds a shot of energy and electricity to a fantastic Tiger squad. The accolades and praise he has recently received are all well-deserved when looking purely at numbers, but the eye test alone is enough to show why Gyan has risen to national prominence as one of the country’s best players.
The Tigers will host UNC Wilmington at Historic Riggs Field on Tuesday, hoping to begin a late-season win streak after the Duke victory.