Clemson, S.C. – Clemson scored four second half goals, including a pair from Xander Sevian, to down No. 3 Furman, 5-1, on the opening night of the men's soccer season Thursday at Historic Riggs Field.
Clemson got on the board first in the ninth minute. A low cross from the right side was turned towards goal and Johannes Kaeck redirected the shot into the back of the net at the 8:05 mark. A total of just five shots on goal were recorded in the opening 45 minutes between the teams with Furman senior
Caleb Johnson forcing Clemson goalkeeper into a stop in the 17
th minute.
Wilfer Bustamante threatened the Clemson net late in the half with a left-footed strike, but his chance hit the side netting on the wrong side of the post.
The Tigers doubled their lead in the 51
st minute when Clemson was awarded a penalty kick following a VAR check and Mason Jimenez converted the spot kick. Sevian added to the Clemson lead in the 57
th minute. After settling a bouncing ball in the middle of the box, he created space before steering a shot into the left-hand corner.
Sevian netted a second straight goal for the Tigers at the 59:08 mark to up the margin to 4-0. Remi Okunlola and Duncan Wilson combined to setup Sevian near the top of the box and the forward drove a low shot into the right-hand corner. Ransford Gyan took advantage of Furman's keeper being off his line in the 68
th minute and chipped a shot from the left side of the box that settled into the far side of the goal to increase the lead to 5-0.
Furman got on the board at the 82:52 mark when
Trip Campbell collected the ball in the box off an attempted header from Johnson. He fed a pass to
Diego Hernandez at the top of the box and the senior drilled a low liner into the right-hand corner for the Paladins' first score of the year.
Clemson (1-0-0) posted a 20-7 advantage in total shots and 10-3 edge in shots on goal. Aleksa Janjic made two saves in goal for the Tigers while
Aaron Salinas stopped four shots for Furman.
The Paladins (0-1-0) open the 2026 home schedule on Monday, August 24, at 6 p.m. when they host the UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Seagraves Field at Stone Soccer Stadium. Admission is free. Furman will welcome back hall of fame coach Doug Allison for a pregame ceremony as the program unveils its NCAA College Cup banner and celebrates last season's historic run. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats for the 5:45 p.m. ceremony.
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