Tigers Win Furman Invitational

Sept. 20, 2001

Greenville, SC – On the strength of two goals from Dimelon Westfield and a goal and two assists from Steven Rhyne, the 16th-ranked Clemson men’s soccer teamed downed 21st-ranked Notre Dame 4-0 on Sunday afternoon to win the Furman Invitational at Eugene Stone Stadium. With the win, the Tigers improve to 3-2 on the season while Notre Dame falls to 1-2. In Friday’s matches of the Invitational, Clemson defeated Florida International by a score of 7-1 while Notre Dame lost 3-2 in double overtime to fifth-ranked Furman. Furman defeated Florida International 4-1 on Sunday to also finish 2-0 on the weekend, but Clemson won the title based on total goal differential.

Clemson’s Nick Rivera was named the Defensive MVP of the Invitational and fellow Tigers Dimelon Westfield, and Ian Fuller joined Rivera on the all-tournament team.

Clemson’s first goal of the match came at the 12:49 mark when sophomore Oskar Bringsved dribbled down the far side and centered a touch pass to Steven Rhyne who angled the ball from about ten yards out passed the goalkeeper to the far post. Building off the momentum of their first goal, the Tigers struck again quickly when Dimelon Westfield took passes from Rhyne and Bringsved and blasted a shot over the goalkeeper’s head that hit the under side of the cross bar and went into the goal.

The score remained 2-0 until early in the second half (47:31) when Rhyne laid the ball off for Westfield who then beat several defenders down the sideline and pushed a shot passed the Notre Dame goalkeeper for his second goal of the game. “We were very serious and very ready to play today. I just tried to play very relaxed and that probably was the biggest reason for my performance,” said Westfield.

Clemson’s fourth and final goal of the match came at the 50:59 mark when senior Ross Goodacre scored off a 30-yard direct kick as a result of an Irish foul. Starter Doug Warren, Martin Hutton, and Patrick Fullerton combined for the shutout in goal for the Tigers.

“We really were able to put it together on both sides of the ball today,” said Clemson Head Coach Trevor Adair. “I knew we could be dynamic on both sides, but sometimes with a young team it takes a little while to find out what you have. Nick Rivera has played three outstanding games in back for us and Dimelon Westfield showed the scoring ability that we know he is capable of.”

Clemson will next be in action on Friday, September 14 at 7:00PM when they play host to Duke in the Tigers first ACC match of the season.

Scoring Summary: Clemson-Steven Rhyne (Bringsved) 12:49 Clemson-Dimelon Westfield (Rhyne, Bringsved) 15:06 Clemson-Dimleon Westfield (Rhyne) 47:31 Clemson-Ross Goodacre (unassisted) 50:59

Shots: Clemson 22, Notre Dame 3Corner Kicks: Clemson 4, Notre Dame 1Fouls: Clemson 20, Notre Dame 15Saves: Clemson 2, Notre Dame 10