#15 Clemson Defeats USC Upstate 2-0
Noonan Wins 250th Career Match as #15 Tigers win 2-0 Over USC Upstate

CLEMSON, SC—Kyle Fisher and Ara Amirkhanian both scored a goal each in leading 15th-ranked Clemson to a 2-0 victory over USC Upstate in a men’s intercollegiate soccer match at Clemson, SC Tuesday night.

With the victory, Head Coach Mike Noonan won his 250th match of his coaching career.   In his 25-year career, he is now 250-143-56.  His tenure includes stops at Wheaton College, New Hampshire, Brown, and Clemson.  Noonan, who took Brown to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances and eight Ivy League Championships in 15 years, is in his fourth year at Clemson.

“I am happy for the team in getting the win.    Our performance wasn’t the best, but I was happy to get the result.   Give Upstate credit, they defended well and we didn’t penetrate in the final third as we would have liked tonight.    I thought we had some good performances from Jack Metcalf and Ara Amrikhanian particularly in the second half.    Amoudou Dia was solid, as was Paul Clowes, and Alex Stockinger.   Tommy McNamara also was very professional in his performance.   

“I thought we scored two great goals tonight.   We are capable of scoring these great goals, but what is puzzling is why we can’t do it more often.    The hard part of our schedule is coming up and we have a lot of work to do.    I am happy with Kyle Fisher.  He is good in the hair and we knew this when we recruited him,” said Noonan.  

With the win, the Tigers improve to 7-1 overall, while USC Upstate falls to 0-5-1 this season.    Clemson is ranked as high as 15th in the polls released this week.  

The Tigers scored first in the 22nd minute.   Thomas McNamara sent a corner kick from the right side in the box.  Fisher, a defender from Easley, SC, headed the ball in the netting from six yards out for his first career goal to give the Tigers a 1-0 advantage.

The Tigers scored again early in the second half at the 48:25 mark.   Manolo Sanchez drove down the right side of the box.   He slipped a pass to Jack Metcalf who then crossed the ball to the left post.      Amirkhanian, sent a diving head shot into the goal to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead.    This was Amirkhanian’s fourth goal of the year.  

“It felt great to be able to score,” said Kyle Fisher.   “Tommy (McNamara) sent a great ball in the box and fortunately I was there on the other end.     I’ve been coming to Clemson games when I was growing up, and it’s great to be part of this historical program.    It’s always a good feeling to get the result.  We’re going to continue to work hard, and keep improving,” said Fisher.

Clemson will play Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA in the Tigers’ next action.     The Tigers’ next home match will be on Saturday, October 5 when the Tigers entertain Notre Dame.      

Scoring
Clemson—Kyle Fisher (Thomas McNamara) 21:44
Clemson—Ara Amirkhanian (Manolo Sanchez and Jack Metcalf) 48:25

Shots:  Clemson 15, USCU 2
Corner Kicks:  Clemson 10, USCU 1
Saves:  Chris Glodack (CU) 0, Hassan El-Haddad (U) 1
Fouls:  Clemson 9, USC Upstate 13
Attendance:  1,138

 

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