COLUMBIA, S.C. - No. 24 Clemson Women’s Soccer outshot the South Carolina Gamecocks, 12-6, but ultimately dropped a tight 1-0 contest in the first Palmetto Series matchup of the 2026-27 year. With the loss, Clemson dropped to 0-1-2, while South Carolina improved to 2-1-0.
“We’re proud of our kids,” Said Head Coach Eddie Radwanski. “We actually played pretty well today. We had a lot of the ball, kept control of the game in front of a hostile crowd which was good. Sometimes it comes down to that we didn’t do a good job of finishing our chances when we had the opportunity and you have to take those when you get them. This is a game that we’ll grow from, we’ll get better. We’re going to learn some things. It’s a game of moments. Do you put the ball in the net, do you concede? It’s a harsh lesson but you’d rather go through it now in August as opposed to the NCAA Tournament. You know we’ll wrap it back up, get in a recovery session and get ready for Sunday’s game”
The Tigers held the shots’ advantage in the first half, 5-2. Clemson fired two off on goal that included a look from junior Anna Castenfelt in the 11th minute of play from a foot inside the penalty box. Senior Dani Davis added the second shot on goal just under the midway point of the first half that the Gamecocks’ goalkeeper got her hands on. Despite Clemson’s strong pushes, the two teams entered halftime level at 0-0.
South Carolina got the first two shots off in the second half, but the Tigers battled back with a shot on goal by sophomore Juju Harris and additional shot attempts by Jenna Tobia and Reese Klein. Harris continued to apply pressure with a shot in the 80th minute that South Carolina saved that was quickly followed by a shot attempt by Davis that was just shy of the top left of the goal. The Gamecocks broke open the game in the 83rd minute after the Gamecocks got a foot on a cross pass to take a 1-0 advantage that held for the final minutes of play despite senior Gabby Hoschek getting a final shot off.
Graduate Nona Reason played her third complete game of the year and finished with one save to bring her season total to nine.
Up Next
The Tigers return to Historic Riggs Field on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. when they play host to Campbell. Admission is free and open to the public, and all the action can be streamed on ACCNX.