Clemson defeats Tennessee-Chattanooga 4-1 in season opener

Aug. 26, 2005

CLEMSON, SC–Senior Allison Graham scored two goals in leading Clemson to a 4-1 win over Tennessee-Chattanooga in a women’s intercollegiate soccer match at Clemson, SC Friday night. Lady Tiger Junior Candice Hein registered both her first career goal and assist in tonight’s match. It was the season opener for both teams.

Graham, a native of Fayetteville, GA, scored midway in the first half to tie the game 1-1. Tennessee-Chattanooga scored early in the match with 1:31 gone. Nikki Brannen found the back of the net with an assist by Dian Jallo.

In the second half, Clemson went ahead 2-1 as Graham struck again with only 1:57 elapsed with an assist by Britten Meyer.

The Lady Tigers’ Candice Hein and Jenny Smith both scored unassisted goals late in the match. It was the first career goals for both players as Hein is a junior and Smith is a freshman.

This is the 11th consecutive season-opening win in the program’s history. The Lady Tigers lost to North Carolina in the season opener in the first year of the Lady Tiger program in 1994.

“We got off to a slow start,” said Graham. “As a senior we knew we had to pick up the team in the second half and get the ball rolling. We fought and played better in the second half and the goals came for us.”

“We battled with adversity being down 1-0,” said Clemson Head Coach Allison Graham did a great job with senior leadership. I am happy that we fought back after being down. At the beginning of the season, we have great attitudes and I am happy with the performance of our players. However, we need better organization in the back and that will come in time.”

Clemson will play host to Kennesaw State Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in the Lady Tigers’ next action.

Clemson 4, Tennessee-Chattanooga 1

UTC–Nikki Brannen (Dian Jallo) 1:31

Clemson–Allison Graham (Candice Hein) 29:24

Clemson–Allison Graham (Britten Meyer) 46:57

Clemson–Candice Hein (Unassisted) 75:52

Clemson–Jenny Smith (Unassisted) 79:30

Shots: Clemson 22, UTC 15

Corner Kicks: Clemson 0, UTC 3

Saves: Ashley Phillips (CU) 5, Stacey Matthiessen (UTC) 3

Fouls: Clemson 14, UTC 13

Attendance: 540