No. 3 Furman Drops Season Opener at Clemson, 5-1
CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson scored four second-half goals, including a pair from Xander Sevian, to defeat No. 3 Furman 5-1 on the opening night of the men's soccer season Thursday at Historic Riggs Field.
Clemson struck first in the ninth minute, when a low cross from the right side was redirected toward goal and Johannes Kaeck turned it into the net at the 8:05 mark. The teams combined for just five shots on goal in the opening 45 minutes, with Furman senior Caleb Johnson forcing a save from Clemson's goalkeeper in the 17th minute. Wilfer Bustamante nearly leveled the score late in the half, but his left-footed strike hit the side netting just wide of the post.
Clemson doubled its lead in the 51st minute when a VAR review awarded the Tigers a penalty kick, which Mason Jimenez converted. Sevian extended the lead in the 57th minute, settling a bouncing ball in the box, creating space and steering a shot into the left corner. He struck again two minutes later, redirecting a low shot into the right corner off a setup from Remi Okunlola and Duncan Wilson to make it 4-0.
Ransford Gyan capitalized on Furman's goalkeeper being off his line in the 68th minute, chipping a shot from the left side of the box into the far corner to push the lead to 5-0.
Furman got on the board in the 83rd minute when Trip Campbell collected a loose ball in the box off an attempted header from Johnson and fed Diego Hernandez at the top of the box. The senior drilled a low shot into the right corner for the Paladins' first goal of the season.
Clemson (1-0-0) held a 20-7 edge in total shots and a 10-3 advantage in shots on goal. Tigers goalkeeper Aleksa Janjic made two saves, while Furman's Aaron Salinas stopped four shots.
Furman (0-1-0) opens its home schedule Monday, Aug. 24, at 6 p.m., hosting UNC Asheville at Seagraves Field at Stone Soccer Stadium. Admission is free. The Paladins will welcome back Hall of Fame coach Doug Allison for a pregame ceremony, during which the program will unveil its NCAA College Cup banner and celebrate last season's historic run. Fans are encouraged to be seated by 5:45 p.m. for the ceremony.
