Nov. 7, 2008

Box Score

Clemson, S.C. - The USC Upstate men's soccer team ended its 2008 season, the second playing on the NCAA Division I level, with a 3-0 loss at Clemson Friday night at historic Riggs Field.

Upstate ends its season with a 2-14-1 record, while Clemson improved to 7-8-2 on the year.

After a solid first half of play where the teams battled back and forth, Clemson cracked the scoreboard in the 22nd minute to open a 1-0 lead. Nick Burton scored off a passing combination from Hassan Ibrahim and Connor Barbaree.

Upstate battled back with solid play throughout the remainder of the first half, taking two shots on goal. It looked as if Clemson would take a 1-0 lead into the intermission until the Tigers scored just before halftime to take a commanding 2-0 lead into the locker room. Barbaree, again, had a piece of setting up the goal as he assisted on John Tardy's score with 33 second to play before halftime to give Clemson the 2-0 advantage.

Clemson led Upstate in shots in the first half, out-shooting the Spartans 10-3. Upstate goalkeeper Peter Davis made four saves to lead the Spartan defensive attack.

Upstate increased its offensive production in the second half. However, as the Spartans opened things up, it also gave Clemson the ability to counterattack. The Tigers were able to get off 15 shots in the second half, while Upstate took seven.

After a flurry of shots from Upstate midway through the half, Clemson countered with a goal to essentially put the game away with a 3-0 lead. Tommy Drake scored off of a passing combination from Keegan Priest and Ibrahim. Neither team would crack the scoreboard the rest of the match.

Clemson finished the game with a 25-10 advantage in shots. However, the Tigers placed just 12 of 25 shots on goal. Davis responded with nine saves on the night in his final game wearing an Upstate jersey. The senior from nearby Seneca finished the season with a team-best 2.46 goals against average playing in eight games and starting seven. David Stanbra, also playing his final game at Upstate, led the Spartans with three shots on the night. He and Alex Garcev finished the season tied atop the scoring column with nine points for Upstate.