Clemson Defeats N.C. State 3-1 in Men’s ACC Soccer

Oct. 31, 2010

CLEMSON, SC – K.C. Onyeador scored one goal and had one assist, while Stephen McGill had two assists in leading Clemson to a 3-1 win over N.C. State in an Atlantic Coast Conference men’s soccer match at Clemson, SC Sunday afternoon.

With the win, Clemson improves to 5-7-4 overall and 2-3-2 overall. N.C. State falls to 7-7-2 overall and a 0-5-2 in league play.

Clemson scored early in the first minute of play. McGill sent the ball in the box on the right side. Austin Savage turned to his left and fired a 12-yard diagonal shot in the net for his third goal of the season. The time of the goal was :27 seconds in the match. This is the fastest that Clemson has scored a goal at the beginning of a match in the history of the program. The previous best was set by Wolde Harris as he scored a goal with only :39 seconds elapsed against Vanderbilt on September 4, 1994.

N.C. State threatened in the 14th minute as Akil DeFreitas fired a 12-yard diagonal shot towards the left post. Clemson goalkeeper Cody Mizell made a diving save to his right and knocked the ball out of danger as he made one of his two saves of the day.

The Wolfpack scored six minutes later. Michael Smith sent the ball in the box from a free kick. John Lung’aho one stepped the ball and fired the ball in the net from six yards out for his second goal of the season.

In the second half, in the 48th minute, Clemson’s Tommy Drake crossed the ball to Francklin Blaise. Blaise sent a shot just wide of the right post as the score remained tied.

N.C. State threatened in the 51st minute as Chris Zuerner rifled a 18-yard shot that was saved by Mizell in the middle of the goal.

The Tigers scored in the 75th minute, as Onyeador crossed the ball to Drake. He sent a 16-yard Diagonal shot in the goal for his fifth score of the season as Clemson took a 2-1 lead.

The Tigers added their third goal in the 77th minute. Jack Metcalf sent a free kick in the box from the left center. McGill headed the ball up in the air, Blaise headed the ball to Onyeador who knocked the ball in the net for his fifth goal of the season.

“I’m happy for the seniors,” said Clemson Head Coach K.C. Onyeador played with a lot of energy. I’m proud of the team in finding a way to win this match.”

Clemson will play at North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC next Friday night in the last match of the regular season. The Tigers will play in the ACC Tournament on November 9-14, in Cary NC.

Scoring

Clemson – Stephen McGill) :27

N.C. State – John Lug’aho (Michael Smith) 19:04

Clemson – K.C. Onyeador) 74:26

Clemson – K.C. Onyeador (Stephen McGill) 76:44

Shots: Clemson 8, N.C. State 5

Corner Kicks: Clemson 7, N.C. State 2

Saves: Cody Mizell (CU) 2, Will Mackvick (NCS) 1

Fouls: Clemson 13, N.C. State 18

Attendance: 1,142