Tigers Defeat California In Men’s Soccer

Sept. 3, 2001

Fullerton, CA – Paul Souders scored the winning goal with just 8:26 left in the match, leading Clemson to a 2-1 victory over California in men’s soccer action Sunday night at the FILA Classic in Fullerton, CA. The victory evened Clemson’s record on the season at 1-1. The Tigers had lost the season opener Friday night to host Cal State Fullerton, 2-1 in overtime.

California took a 1-0 lead in the first half when Austin Ripmaster got behind the Clemson defense and booted the ball past Tiger keeper Doug Warren at the 21:50 mark of the game. That was the only score of the first half.

Clemson came back to tie the match at the 58:44 mark when senior forward Ian Fuller booted the ball past California keeper Josh Saunders. Saunders knocked the ball off his own crossbar, but it deflected into the net for the Clemson goal. It was the second goal of the season for Fuller, who scored just three goals all of last year.

Souders’s game winner came at 81:34 when he stole the ball at the top of the box and then headed the ball over Saunders head. It was the first goal of the sophomore’s Clemson career. Shots were even in the game at 10 apiece, while the Tigers had a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks. Warren made two saves in goal for the Tigers, who will face Georgia State in the home opener at Riggs Field Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM.