Thompson Finds Equalizer in Drenched 1-1 Draw
CLEMSON, S.C. - Freshman Reagan Thompson found the equalizer in the 85’ of play during a complete downpour to help Clemson to a 1-1 result against No. 15 Louisville on Saturday night at Historic Riggs Field. It was Thompson’s second goal of her freshman campaign and moved the Tigers to 6-3-4 (2-2-2 ACC) on the year, while the Cardinals moved to 9-1-3 (3-0-3 ACC).
“What an interesting game tonight with the weather,” Said Head Coach Eddie Radwanski. “I thought both teams handled it quite well. I loved how our team showed some resilience and were able to respond. That goal that was scored was a little bit unfortunate, unlucky on our part, but the kids never gave up. They had that never-say-die attitude. We played a very good Louisville team, one of the best they’ve ever had; they’re a top 15 team in the country. For us to come back and get the draw is a good result. I'm proud of how the kids reacted to the situation of the game, and I thought we did a good job with the weather. Thank you to all the fans who came out and were here in the rain, and a special thanks to our alumni who showed up, especially our 2016 ACC Championship team, who were celebrating the ten-year anniversary. It was wonderful to have them here.”
The momentum was behind Louisville to open the match, as the Cardinals got shots on goal that required Clemson goalkeeper Nona Reason to make two saves within the first 12 minutes of play. The Cardinals finished the opening half with seven shots compared to Clemson’s one and held the 12-5 advantage on the 90-minute match.
Sophomore Juju Harris got the lone shot off for the Tigers in the first 45’, but it was blocked to send the ball back the other direction. The opening frame concluded with Reason, who finished with three saves on the night, coming off her line to the edge of the box with two minutes remaining. She eliminated one of the biggest potential threats of the half for the Cardinals by deflecting the ball out of bounds to keep things level at 0-0.
The second half began with Clemson’s defense continuing to be the stronghold for the Tigers. Carla Small came away with a blocked shot from the middle of the penalty box. Anna Castenfelt picked up her own takeaway on the defensive end of the field. The Tigers attempted to strike in the 58’ as Jolie Jenkins got a shot on goal, but it was saved as the sky began to make an impact on the match.
The Cardinals broke open the stalemate in the 80’. After Harris got a shot off on the other side of the field, Louisville marched down the left side of the field in the downpour. Louisville’s Brooklyn Lee released a shot that Reason was able to jump up for it to graze her fingertips, but the deflection rebounded into the far right side of the net for the 1-0 Louisville advantage.
The Tigers refused to bow down, as Thompson found the equalizer in the 85’ of play from 25 yards out. After Harris threw the ball down the right side of the field, Alessandra Washington broke away from the defense to get a pass to Thompson. Thompson proceeded to send a moon shot across the field with her left foot that soared over the head of Louisville’s goalkeepers' head into the back left corner of the net. Louisville got one more shot off in the final four minutes of play, but it was wide, which led to the 1-1 tie.
Up Next
Clemson returns to the pitch for the final home match of the 2026 regular season against North Carolina on Thursday, Oct. 15. The match is slated to begin at 8 p.m. and will stream on ACC Network. Admission is free and open to the public, and there will be a selection of food trucks at Historic Riggs Field as we celebrate “Soctoberfest!”