Sunday, August 28, 2005

CLEMSON, South Carolina – Lydia Vandenbergh scored two goals and added an assist and Allison Graham scored a goal and added three assists as the Clemson Tigers defeated Kennesaw State, 4-0 in the Owls season opener at Riggs Field.

The loss was the Owls first opening day defeat in the four-year history of the program and was the most lopsided defeat the program has suffered.

The Owls (0-1-0), who were playing their third Atlantic Coast Conference opponent in two years, fell behind quickly as Kelly Schneider scored in the fifth minute to make the score 1-0.

Kennesaw State did come out aggressively as the Owls had three corner kicks in the first three minutes of the match. The Owls also had a chance to tie the game early, but Pip Meo’s shot in the 13th minute hit the right post.

Clemson (2-0-0) would not waste time responding to the Owls aggressive play. The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the 17th minute when Vandenbergh took a pass from Graham and scored her first goal of the season.

The offense of the Owls was able to produce three more shots in the final stages of the first half with the best opportunity coming in the 42nd minute, when Lindsay Smith put a shot on goal that was saved by Clemson goalkeeper Lauren Johnson.

In the beginning of the second half the Owls again showed signs of life. Smith took advantage of a lapse in the Clemson defense and rifled a shot on goal. However, her shot was again stopped Johnson. The Tigers backup keeper, who entered the game in the 25th minute as she replaced starter Ashley Phillips, saved four shots on the afternoon.

Clemson added a pair of second half goals when Vandenbergh tallied her second score in the 53rd minute and Graham scored in the 70th minute.

Each team had two yellow cards issued, Katrina Hirsch and Sally Wade received cards for the Owls while Graham and Schneider were carded for Clemson.

The Owls are now winless in three games against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents in their history. The Owls dropped a pair of 1-0 games to Duke and North Carolina last season.

Kennesaw State will be back in action on Friday night when they travel to Alabama to play Alabama-Birmingham at 7:00 p.m. central standard time.