Clemson Women’s Soccer Team Defeats Alabama, 1-0, in Exhibition Game Saturday

CLEMSON, SC – The Clemson women’s soccer team scored with two seconds left in regulation to defeat Alabama 1-0 on Saturday night in an exhibition game at Historic Riggs Field.  After 89 minutes and 58 seconds of scoreless play, sophomore forward Liska Dobberstein put the game’s lone goal on the board to give the Tigers the win.

With 30 seconds left on the clock, Alabama drove down the field on offense, but Clemson freshman goalkeeper Hunter Rittgers came up with a loose ball and sent it down the field.  Junior forward Tabitha Padgett broke away from the defense and sent a cross from the left corner of the box to Dobberstein, who put the ball in the left corner of the net past the diving Crimson Tide keeper.

“This was a good effort by our team and it was nice to get the win,” said Head Coach Eddie Radwanski.  “I give our team credit for staying engaged and playing the full 90 minutes.  That is something we always talk about in training, so I was pleased to see that we did not give up.

“We played a good team tonight.  They put us under pressure, we put them under pressure and we both learned a lot.  As coaches, that is what we are looking for in an exhibition game.  There are still many things that we need to improve on, but we played with good effort and physicality, and had some good moments of soccer.  If we can carry that into the season, good things will happen.”

Clemson will open the 2012 regular season on Friday, August 17 as it plays host to Appalachian State.  The season opener will begin at 7:00 PM at Historic Riggs Field.  Admission is free for all home women’s soccer games.