CLEMSON, S.C. - The No. 5 Clemson Tigers (9-2-1) scored two goals within a 2:18 minute stretch to level the match, but weren’t able to find a third to end in a 2-2 tie against the Georgia Southern Eagles (6-1-3) on Tuesday night at Historic Riggs Field. Junior Duncan Wilson added his sixth goal of the year to open scoring for the Tigers, while junior Ransford Gyan added to his team-leading count with his ninth on the season.
The Tigers and the Eagles remained in a deadlock 0-0 score through the first 45’, as both teams fired off three shots in the first half. Clemson goalkeeper Aleksa Janjic recorded two saves early in the match to keep Georgia Southern off the scoreboard. The Tigers gained offensive momentum 33’ into the half as Remi Okunlola fired a shot from outside the 18-yard box which found the back of the net, however the goal was rescinded after VAR review showed a handball on the Tigers earlier in the play.
Georgia Southern struck first in the second half after finding the back of the net in the 52’ minute to take a 1-0 lead over the Tigers. The Eagles doubled the lead in the 78’ after putting pressure on the Tigers’ backline to make it 2-0 with 12 minutes remaining.
Clemson soared back and cut Georgia Southern’s lead in half. Remi Okunlola crossed the ball to Mason Jimenez inside the box who then was able to feed Wilson who cut in front of an Eagles’ defender for the one-timer past the Eagles’ goalkeeper in the 80’. Wilson gave the Tigers new found life offensively putting them on the prowl.
Just over two minutes later, Aessio Andreolotta connected with Christian Scott who stormed down the sideline. Scott caught up to the ball just before the endline to serve a pass to Gyan, who rocketed the ball into Georgia Southern’s net to tie the game with eight minutes remaining. Clemson out shot the Eagles 17-6 in the second half and recorded seven corners, yet it was not enough to cap the late comeback for the Tigers over Georgia Southern.
Not only did Wilson put the Tigers on the board, but he also stepped in as Clemson’s goalkeeper in the 88’ and recorded a save after Janjic exited the game late in the second half. The Tigers played the remainder of the game with ten players and were able to fend off the Eagles from scoring when having the advantage on the field.
