CLEMSON, S.C. - Floki Stephensen and Lukas Magnason handed off goals and assists to each other as the No. 9 Clemson Tigers (8-2, 3-1 ACC) defeated the Wofford Terriers (5-1-3), 4-1, on Tuesday night at Historic Riggs field. Stephenson and Magnason both scored their first goals of the season, as Duncan Wilson and Xander Sevian also put the ball in the net as the Tigers surged over the Terriers in the second half.
Clemson recorded a 17-6 shot advantage over the course of play and converted on two out of 10 corners to pull ahead of Wofford. In the defensive half, Clemson’s graduate goalkeeper Aleksa Janjic recorded four saves in net for the Tigers on five shots on goal from the Terriers.
The Tigers had several opportunities to find the back of the net in the first half after putting seven shots on goal. Senior Remi Okunlola drew a foul in the attacking third, granting Clemson a free kick just outside the 18-yard box. Junior Ransford Gyan was on the receiving end of the free kick, firing a header towards the net which was tipped just outside the Terriers’ goal by their goalkeeper in the 16’.
Wilson broke through the threshold for the Tigers in the 42’ after a service from Okunlola soared across the box to find his head on the backside of the goal. Wilson put the Tigers up by one just minutes before the end of the first. This marks Wilson’s third goal in just two matches.
The Terriers packed on the pressure to open up the second half and were awarded a penalty kick in the 50’ to tie it up 1-1 after a Clemson foul in the 18-yard box. The Tigers soon after were awarded a corner kick where freshman Mateo Tsakiris found senior Martin Bakken who was able to convert on the service to seemingly put the Tigers up 2-1. However, the goal was rescinded after a Clemson foul was called as the ball was being played in, but it gave Clemson the spark it needed.
The corners proved to be a hot spot for the Tigers tonight as Clemson regained their lead in the 66’. Tsakiris served another strong ball into the box for Clemson where Magnason was able to connect with Stephensen, putting the Tigers back on top 2-1.
Clemson pulled away from the Terriers in the 81’ after Gyan threaded the ball to Sevian who placed it in the far side of the net, extending the Tigers’ lead to 3-1. Clemson continued to attack from the endline after senior Mason Jimenez sliced a ball to Stephenesen waiting in the box. Magnason was able to finish the ball off of a Stephensen assist in the 85’ to secure the Tigers’ eighth win of the season.
Up Next
The Tigers return to Historic Riggs Field on Friday, Oct. 2 as the Clemson United welcome back the 2021 National Championship team along with the 2001 ACC championship team for the Tigers’ alumni match vs. UNCW at 7:00 pm on ACCNX.