Lady Tiger Soccer Team Downs Coastal Carolina 5-0 Wednesday Night

Sept. 5, 2007

Box Score

CLEMSON, SC – The 20th-ranked Lady Tiger soccer team controlled the pace of the game from the kickoff to the final horn in its 5-0 victory over the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Historic Riggs Field on Wednesday night. With the win, Clemson improves to 2-0 on the season, while Coastal Carolina falls to 0-2.

The Lady Tigers recorded 22 shots, 14 of which were on net. Senior goalkeeper Ashley Phillips played 78 minutes and extended her shutout streak to 168 minutes overall, before being replaced by freshman Paula Pritzen with the game all but in hand.

The Lady Tigers got on the board in the eighth minute when Nuria Zufia controlled a pass from Courtney Foster and lofted the ball over the outstretched arms of Coastal Carolina goalkeeper Karen Pavlick from about 15 yards out for her first goal of the night.

Clemson struck again quickly as Molly Franklin showed some nifty footwork, dribbling by several defenders before knocking home a goal in the 17th minute of play. The Lady Tigers added another goal at the 33:53 mark when Meghan Smith scored from a tough angle on the right side of the goal after a nice cross from freshman Samantha Fortier. The play was set up by a one-touch pass to Fortier by Franklin and the Lady Tigers took a 3-0 lead into halftime.

Clemson was at it again early in the second half, scoring its fourth goal of the evening in the 54th minute. Katie Vogel one-timed a shot into the left side of the goal past keeper Britt Pecora, who replaced Pavlick after the first half. Julie Bolt had the nice cross after she ran down a ball passed ahead by Foster. Bolt ran the pass down just in time and sent a cross to Vogel who hammered it home.

Zufia scored her second goal of the night and third of the season when she played a high pass off her chest, then kicked the ball that went through Pecora’s fingertips. Zufia was set up by Vogel on the play.

Zufia appeared to have her third goal of the night when she was taken down in the penalty box and awarded a penalty kick. However, the Chanticleer keeper made diving save to stop the shot.

“I’m pleased that we were able to go out there and take care of business tonight,” said Head Coach Todd Bramble. “We put a lot of pressure on Coastal Carolina early and scored some early goals, which made it easier for us at the end of the game. It was important for us, with having three games in just five days, to be able to get our starters some rest.”

“Nuria Zufia is in outstanding form right now,” Bramble noted. “She’s on the ball, scoring goals and her heading presence is excellent.”

“Stefanie Schroeder has continued to exceed our expectations on defense. As a freshman, she was thrown into the fire following a couple of preseason injuries and has really responded to the challenge.”

The Lady Tigers will play host to Long Beach State on Friday evening. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. at Riggs Field.

Game Summary Goals: Clemson – Zufia (from Foster) 7:07 Clemson – Franklin (unassisted) 16:16 Clemson – Smith (from Franklin and Fortier) 33:53 Clemson – Vogel (from Foster and Bolt) 53:22 Clemson – Zufia (from Vogel) 56:38

Saves: Phillips (CU) 2, Pritzen (CU) 1, Pavlick (CCU) 4, Pecora (CCU) 3, Haggard (CCU) 1 Shots: Clemson 22, Coastal Carolina 3 Corner Kicks – Clemson 5, Coastal Carolina 0 Fouls – Clemson 7, Coastal Carolina 5