Clemson Men?s Soccer Started Preseason Training Tuesday

CLEMSON, SC – The Clemson men’s soccer team started preseason training Tuesday morning at the practice fields adjacent to the Jervey Athletic Center on the Clemson campus.Clemson Head Coach Mike Noonan has nine starters returning from last year’s team that advanced to the semifinal round of the ACC Tournament.  The Tigers were also 3-2-3 in the tough Atlantic Coast Conference.  This league mark was the best ACC winning percentage for the Tigers since the 2001 season.  It was also the first time that the Tigers have reached the semifinal round in the ACC Tournament since 2005.“We are excited to be starting another year at Clemson,” said Noonan, who will be beginning his fourth season with the school.  “It’s a great time of year.  Our players reported back healthy and in good shape this morning.  They are also happy to get things started.“We have a lot of experienced players returning, some are two and three year starters.  This is the first time we have had this much experience returning.  We are looking for this leadership and experience to translate on the field,” said Noonan.Junior midfielder, Ara Amirkhanian is the Tigers’ leading returning scorer as he had five goals and two assists last season.  Junior midfielder/forward Manolo Sanchez had two goals and six assists for 10 points in 2012.Clemson will play Wofford in an exhibition game at the CESA Complex in Greenville, SC on August 21.  The Tigers will also play an exhibition match at Coastal Carolina on Sunday, August 25.Clemson will open the 2013 season on Friday, August 30, as the Tigers play host to Mercer at Historic Riggs Field.  Clemson will also play host to South Carolina on Labor Day night on September 2.  Clemson also has home matches with ACC foes Virginia, Maryland, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Boston College, and Duke at Historic Riggs Field in 2013.Historic Riggs Field is one of the five oldest continuous used athletic fields in the nation.  This year will mark the 99th season for Historic Riggs Field.