The University of South Carolina men's soccer squad claimed a 3-2 victory over Clemson on August 28, 2024, in a match that will be remembered for both its scoreline and its crowd.
Stone Stadium welcomed 7,671 spectators, the largest gathering for a Gamecocks men's soccer contest in nearly five decades and the highest attendance in NCAA men's soccer this season.
Early in the second minute, Clemson's first shot on target was spectacularly denied by goalkeeper Noah Scheidweiler, whose diving save set the tone for a disciplined defensive display.
Opening breakthrough
The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Mika Habel and Angel Lopez combined for the opening goal, with Lopez heading home a cross from Alejandro Velazquez-Lopez.
Lopez doubled the lead just a minute later, heading in another cross to put the Gamecocks up 2-0, a feat that marked his third goal of the campaign.
Clemson's response
Clemson answered with a penalty in the 39th minute, leveling the game before halftime.
Second-half drama and the decisive penalty
The second half saw Yoni Perez’s corner spark a penalty conversion by Velazquez-Lopez, extending the lead to 3-1, only for Clemson to pull one back in the 52nd minute after a blocked shot by Arnar Adalsteinsson.
Scheidweiler finished with four saves, including a season-high performance that secured the narrow win and improved South Carolina to 3-0 for the first time since 2014.
The Gamecocks are slated to face Charlotte on September 3 at 7 p.m., looking to carry the momentum forward.