#14 Charlotte Defeats Clemson 3-1

Sept. 20, 2011

Box Score | ClemsonTigers.com Exclusive: Tigers Work on Getting Better

CLEMSON, SC – Thomas Allen and Will Mayhew both scored a goal and had an assist in leading Charlotte to a 3-1 victory over Clemson in a men’s intercollegiate soccer match at Historic Riggs Field Tuesday night.

With the win, Charlotte improves to 6-1 overall, while Clemson falls to 1-4 this season.

Charlotte scored first in the 11th minute. Isaac Caughran served the ball off of the corner kick to Thomas Allen. Allen headed the ball to Mayhew. His head shot hit underneath the crossbar and bounced into the goal for his first tally this season.

Clemson tied the score in the 56th minute. Bryniar Benediktsson. Benediktsson fired a diagonal, 12-yard shot beating the Charlotte keeper to his right for his first goal this season.

With 10:50 left to go in the match, Clemson’s attacked the Charlotte goal and took two serious attempts. Iain Smith’s shot from 15 yards out hit the cross bar, and the Tigers’ Keegan Priest follow up was cleared by a 49er defender before it crossed the goal line.

The 49ers scored a little over two minutes later. In front of the Charlotte goal, Aidan Kirkbride took a shot, and it was saved by Clemson goalkeeper, Erik Mozzo. However, Mozzo did not control the save and Charles Rodriguez sent a shot that was also saved by Mozzo, but it also trickled out and Allen was there to knock in the rebound for his first goal of the year. Rodriquez was credited with the assist.

Charlotte scored their third goal of the night in the 87th minute. From the middle Mayhew found Evan James on the right. James fired a shot from 11 yards out into the left corner of the netting for his third goal of the year.

“It’s pretty clear we didn’t play well defensively in our penalty box area,” said Clemson Head Coach Mike Noonan. “Our effort was very good, as we went against an outstanding Charlotte team – I want to give them credit. They come at you repeatedly and attack over and over. We gave it everything we got most of the game.

“Every game is a game of inches,” said Noonan. “It’s a different game if the ball that Smith shot goes in rather then hits the cross bar and Keegan’s follow is not cleared off the line. Our keeper, Erik Mozzo made great saves in critical points of the match. I’m disappointed for our guys. We played better tonight, than we have played most of the season.”

Clemson’s Erik Mozzo, who was making his first start of the season, made eight saves in the match. Charlotte took 16 shots compared to Clemson’s nine.

Clemson will play at N.C. State on Friday, September 23, at 7:00 p.m. in the Tigers’ next action.

Charlotte 3, Clemson 1

Charlotte – Will Mayhew (Isaac Caughran, Thomas Allen) 10:39 Clemson – Bryniar Benediktsson (Austin Savage, Keegan Priest) 55:07 Charlotte – Thomas Allen (Charles Rodriguez) 82:06 Charlotte – Evan James (Will Mayhew) 86:14

Shots: Clemson 9, Charlotte 16 Corner Kicks: Clemson 4, Charlotte 12 Saves: Erik Mozzo (CU) 8, Klay Davis (Char.) 1 Fouls: Clemson 17, Charlotte 14 Attendance: 780