Gardner-Webb Defeats Clemson 1-0

Sept. 1, 2009

CLEMSON, SC–John Sargent scored a goal late in the first half in leading Gardner-Webb to a 1-0 win over Clemson in a men’s intercollegiate soccer match at the Tigers’ Historic Riggs Field Tuesday night.

It was the season opener for both teams that played in front of a crowd of 1,138 spectators.

In the 35th minute, Richie Wall played the ball into the box from the left side. Gerard Hefferon played the ball back to Sargent outside of the box. Sargent, a freshman from Essex, England, fired a 20-yard shot into the upper right corner of the goal that proved to be the game-winner.

Clemson outshot the Runnin’ Bulldogs 19-5 and had twice as many corner kicks, 4-2. The Clemson goalkeeper Joseph Bendik had two saves, while Gardner-Webb’s goalkeeper had one for the evening.

Clemson had a chance early in the second half to tie the score as David Newton fired a shot from close range but Kozman made a kick save to keep the Tigers scoreless.

“This was a very difficult match to lose,” said Clemson Head Coach Phil Hindson. “We had so many chances to win. We created chance after chance, but we lost our composure in front of the goal tonight. I know we didn’t play well, but we had so many opportunities. This was a difficult lost, and a very difficult one to take. We will have to regroup in a hurry and get ready for South Carolina. We never quit tonight. I struggle to understand how we lost this match.”

Clemson will play host to South Carolina on Friday, September 4th at 7:30 p.m. at Historic Riggs Field in the Tigers’ next action.

Gardner-Webb 1, Clemson 0 GW-John Sargent (Richie Wall, Gerard Hefferon) 34:38

Shots: Clemson 19, Gardner-Webb 5 Corner Kicks: Clemson 4, Gardner-Webb 2 Saves: Joseph Bendik (CU) 2, Trent Kozman (GW) 1 Fouls: Clemson 15, Gardner-Webb 14 Attendance: 1,138