Clemson Upsets No. 10 Florida State Thursday in Tallahassee

Box Score

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Redshirt senior Miranda Weslake scored the game-winning goal in Clemson’s 1-0 victory over 10^th-ranked Florida State on Thursday at the FSU Soccer Complex in Tallahassee, Fla. The win was the Tigers’ second over a top-10 ranked opponent in their last four matches, and saw the team improve to 8- 5 overall and 3-2 in the ACC, while the Seminoles fell to 9-3-1 overall and 2-3 in conference play.

HOW IT WAS DECIDED
In the 21^st minute, Florida State was called for a foul three yards outside the 18-yard box, setting up a set piece for the Tigers. Dani Antieau handled the free kick, sending the ball toward the back post to find Weslake, who redirected it down, sneaking it past the keeper to give Clemson a 1-0 lead which it did not relinquish.

OF NOTE

• The road victory over No. 10 Florida State was Clemson’s first upset over a top-10 team on the road in nearly two years, as the Tigers defeated No. 6 Duke on Oct. 27, 2016 on the road in Durham, N.C.
• The Tigers kept Florida State off the scoreboard for only the third time this season as the Noles entered the match averaging 2.25 goals per game.
• Junior goalkeeper Sandy MacIver set a new season high in saves, picking up six in the contest, along with her fifth solo shutout of the season, and the 10^th of her Clemson career.
• Weslake is now tied with Mariana Speckmaier for the team lead in goals, as she picked up her sixth of the season. The two also lead the team in scoring with 13 points apiece, each with six goals and one assist.
• The Tigers handed Florida State just its fifth loss at home in its last 89 matches, dating back to the 2011 season, as the Noles had an 81-4-4 record at the Seminole Soccer Complex entering the match.
• The win over the Seminoles was Clemson’s first since Nov. 18, 2001, when it won 1-0 in an NCAA Tournament Second Round match at Historic Riggs Field. It was also the Tigers’ first win in Tallahassee since a 3-2 victory on Sept. 10, 2000, and only the third win in Tallahassee in program history.
• The win was also the first over the Seminoles for Head Coach Eddie Radwanski in his eight seasons at the helm of the Tiger program.
• Thursday’s contest was Clemson’s fourth consecutive match against a top-11 ranked opponent and its fifth of the season. The Tigers are now 2-3 against top-11 opponents on the season, as they picked up a 1-0 victory over No. 4 Virginia on Sept. 20 at Historic Riggs Field.

Head Coach Eddie Radwanski Quote
“That was a great win on the road, especially against a team and a program like Florida State. Mark (Krikorian) and his group are in the top 10 for all the right reasons. We came out focused in the first half, and scored a very good goal on a set piece. At halftime, we decided to go into game-manage mode and got a great performance from Sandy MacIver in goal, who made a couple of outstanding saves. The rest was great team defending, as we didn’t really allow the goal to be threatened after those chances. It was a collective effort by the team, smart managing on their part, along with a wonderful commitment and a good response from the game we had on Sunday. We are pleased with a top-10 win and pleased to pick up three points in the ACC on the road against one of the top programs. We have tonight to enjoy the win, but then we have to saddle up and get ready to play at Pitt on Sunday.”

UP NEXT
Clemson travels to Pittsburgh, Pa. to face the Pitt Panthers on Sunday, Oct. 7 for a 1 p.m. contest at Ambrose Urbanic Field. The Tigers return to Historic Riggs Field on Saturday, Oct. 13 for a Senior Day matchup against the No. 17 Duke Blue Devils. The match is scheduled to start at 5 p.m.