Tigers Win Clemson Men’s Soccer Invitational

Sept. 29, 2002

CLEMSON, SC – Dimelon Westfield scored two goals in leading sixth-ranked Clemson to a 3-0 win over Fairfield and the championship of the Clemson Men’s Soccer Invitational at Clemson, SC Sunday afternoon.

Westfield was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player offensively. Other Clemson players named to the all-tournament team included Oskar Bringsved, Chase Hilbenbrinck, and Ricky Lewis.

The Tigers are ranked sixth by Soccer America and eighth by Soccertimes.com. In the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) the Clemson men are ranked 11th.

The Tigers’ Paul Souders finished the match with two assists. Steven Rhyne also had one goal and one assist for Clemson.

With the win, Clemson improves its record to 6-1-1 overall, while Fairfield falls to 1-4-1 this season.

Clemson scored early in the game as Westfield scored with assists by Souders and Kenny Cutler with 10:08 gone in the match.

Westfield struck again at the 17:37 mark with assists by Souders and Rhyne.

Rhyne added a goal before the half at the 35:57 mark with assists by Hilgenbrinck and Fabio Tambosi.

The Clemson Invitational is one of the oldest soccer tournaments in America having been played 27 times since 1974. During that time, Clemson has a 40-11-3 record in the Invitational. Clemson has won the tournament a total of 16 times.

“We are starting to put away our chances,” said Clemson Head Coach Trevor Adair. We played two games with teams that were sitting back on defense, and I am happy that we are scoring goals and finishing our chances. We are putting our game together both offensively and defensively. Dimelon is gaining confidence and had an outstanding tournament. We are also developing depth and are able to bring a lot of people off the bench.

Clemson will play at South Carolina on Sunday, October 6th at 2:00 pm in the Tigers’ next action.

CLEMSON 3, FAIRFIELD 0 Clemson – Dimelon Westfield (Paul Souders, Kenneth Cutler) 10:08 Clemson – Dimelon Westfield (Paul Souders, Steven Rhyne) 17:37 Clemson – Steven Rhyne (Fabio Tambosi) 35:57

Shots: Clemson 15, Fairfield 4 Corner Kicks: Clemson 7, Fairfield 2 Saves: Doug Warren (CU) 2, Hunter Gilstrap (CU) 1 Andrew Frankel (F) 2, Steven Burns (F) 3 Fouls: Clemson 13, Fairfield 19 Attendance: 1,570

Furman Defeats GonzagaCLEMSON, SC – Anthony Esquivel and McNeil Cronin scored one goal each in 12th-ranked Furman’s 2-0 win over Gonzaga in the Clemson Men’s Soccer Invitational at Clemson, SC Sunday afternoon.

With the win, Furman improves its record to 7-1-1 overall, while Gonzaga falls to 2-7 this season. The Paladins are ranked 12th by Soccer America and 24th by the NSCAA.

Furman’s Gray Griffin finished the contest with two assists. Griffin and Sergei Raad assisted Esquivel at the 16:48 mark. This was Esquivel’s fifth goal of the season.

Cronin scored at the 51:59 point in the game. Griffin and Clint Dempsey were credited with the assists.

Esquivel and Cronin were both named to the All-Tournament team for Furman. The Paladins’ Matt Foxhall was named the defensive MVP.

Scoring Furman – Anthony Esquivel (Gray Griffin and Sergei Raad) 16:48 Furman – McNeil Cronin (Gray Griffin and Clint Dempsey) 51:59

Shots: Furman 16, Gonzaga 10 Corner Kicks: Furman 1, Gonzaga 3 Saves: Alex Maslow (F) 5, Mike McCarthy (G) 6 Fouls: Furman 14, Gonzaga 18Attendance: 414

Order of Finish 1. Clemson 2-0 (Wins Tournament, Goal Differential) 2. Furman 2-0 3. Fairfield 0-2 (Scored more goals than Gonzaga) 4. Gonzaga 0-2

Results of TournamentFriday, September 27 Furman 4, Fairfield 3 Clemson 2, Gonzaga 0

Sunday, September 29 Furman 2, Gonzaga 0 Clemson 3, Fairfield 0

Clemson’s Men’s Soccer Invitational All-Tournament Team Dimelon Westfield, Clemson (Offensive MVP) Oskar Bringsved, Clemson Ricky Lewis, Clemson Chase Hilgenbrinck, Clemson Anthony Esquivel, Furman McNeil Cronin, Furman Matt Foxhall, Furman (Defensive MVP) Kari Arnasson, Gonzaga Nick Ascolese, Gonzaga James Hunt, Fairfield Richard Morton, Fairfield