Second-Half Surge Powers Clemson Past Winthrop

Clemson, SC - It was a night of exciting firsts for the Tigers in their 4-1 victory against the Winthrop Eagles. Clemson sophomore Tyler Trimnal and freshman Remi Okunlola both charted their first career starts, Okunlola also contributed his first career assist, and Shawn Smart tallied his first career goal. 

The Tigers are fresh off a thrilling 2-1 ACC victory against Virginia Tech this past Friday, where Ousmane Sylla’s game-winning goal with five seconds left in the match earned him a spot on College Soccer News Men’s National Team of the Week. With tonight’s victory, Clemson advances to 106-37-16 all-time at Historic Riggs Field under Head Coach Mike Noonan, and moves to 7-3-1 on the season. Noonan also earned his 160th career win at the helm of the Clemson program. 

Winthrop struck first at the 32-minute mark, but Clemson responded five minutes later with a goal to the bottom left from Nathan Richmond, assisted by Remi Okunlola and Ousmane Sylla at the 37’. The moment marked Okunlola’s first career assist and Sylla’s fifth, respectively. 

The Tigers netted two goals within five minutes during the second half, one in the 64’ by Joran Gerbet, assisted by Richmond, and the other from Smart’s first career goal, assisted by Enrique Montana III, in the 69’. Alex Meinhard tallied another to the bottom right in the 83’, assisted by Jackson Wrobel and Isaiah Easley. 

The Tigers were aggressive offensively, with 26 shots to the Eagles’ three and nine shots on goal to Winthrop’s one. With this win, Clemson maintained their perfect season record of 2-0-0 when scoring 3-4 goals in a match. 

The Tigers remain home on Friday, October 6, as they chase another ACC win against the No. 21 Louisville Cardinals at 7 p.m. at Historic Riggs Field.