Tigers and Tar Heels Battle Down to the Wire

CARY, N.C. – The Clemson women’s soccer team came up short in a 1-0 contest to No. 8 North Carolina on Thursday night at WakeMed Soccer Park. With the loss, Clemson moves to 6-3-0 overall and 0-2-0 in conference play, while North Carolina moves to 6-2-0 and 2-0-0. 

“I am proud of our team’s performance tonight,” said Head Coach Eddie Radwanski. “We executed the game plan to a tee, limiting UNC to very few chances as our goal went unthreatened. Our team responded well after the goal and we were able to get several chances in the last ten minutes. I am proud of the Tiger fight they displayed tonight and how they left everything on the field. We will recover, get some rest and be ready for our match on Sunday at Syracuse.”

Both teams played solid on defense throughout the match, with Sandy MacIver picking up three saves in goal for the Tigers and Samantha Leshnak tallying two for the Tar Heels. North Carolina picked up the lone goal in the 77th minute when Dorian Bailey scored on a rebound header off the cross bar.

While Clemson garnered a few great scoring opportunities with two corner kicks and two free kicks in the final ten minutes of the match, the Tigers were unable to score the equalizer. Graduate Jenna Polonsky had two chances in the last two minutes, with one shot getting blocked and the final shot saved.

Clemson will remain on the road, as it travels to Syracuse to continue the three-game road stint. The match is set to start at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24. The Tigers will return to Historic Riggs Field on Thursday, Oct. 5 as they host Louisville.