Clemson Soccer Ranked No.1, Defeats Longwood

by Press Release - Tue Sep 19 17:23:49 GMT-04:00 2006

CLEMSON, SC--The Clemson men's soccer team is ranked number one in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll released Tuesday afternoon.

This marked the first time that the Tigers have been ranked first in this poll since November 16, 1998. This marked the 30th time that the Tigers have been ranked first in the NSCAA poll in the program's history.

Clemson is off to a 7-0 start this season. This is the best start since the 1978 season.

Clemson Downs Longwood, 2-0

Clemson, SC-Mark Buchholz and Dane Richards scored goals just six minutes apart in the second half to lead Clemson to a 2-0 victory over Longwood Tuesday night at Clemson's Riggs Field. The Tigers improved to 8-0 for the season, while Longwood fell to 1-6-1. Clemson has won its first eight matches of the season for the first time since 1978.

Earlier in the day, Clemson was ranked number-one in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for the first time since the 1998 season. The Tigers improved to 52-9-2 all-time in games when they are ranked number-one in the nation.

The two teams played a defensive battle in the first half and the scored was tied 0-0 at intermission. Clemson had nine shots, while Longwood had just one in the first half. Longwood goal keeper Brandt Youmans had four saves in the opening 45 minutes.

It was still 0-0 with under 28 minutes remaining when Clemson forward David Bell made a move from the right wing. He was fouled in the box by Adam Kotchin of Longwood with 27:02 remaining in the match, resulting in a penalty shot opportunity for the Tigers.

Mark Buchholz, a junior from Alpharetta, GA, attempted the penalty shot and beat Youmans with a blast in the left upper corner of the goal to give Clemson a 1-0 lead at the 62:58 mark. It was Buchholtz's second goal of the season. Clemson is now 4-4 on penalty kicks for the season as a team.

Richards made the score 2-0 at 68:55 when he scored one of the longest goals in the history of Riggs Field. Youmans attempted to clear the ball, but his clear was short. Richards intercepted and from about 35 yards out on the right side, lobbed the ball over Youmans head and into the goal, giving Clemson a 2-0 lead. The goal was Richards's seventh of the year, tying him with Frederico Moojen for the team lead.

Clemson freshman Joseph Bendik recorded the shutout for the Tigers, his second shutout of the season and the fifth by the Clemson defense overall. Bendik has not allowed a goal in 202 minutes so far this year.

"We did not adjust too well to Longwood's defensive plans tonight," said Clemson Head Coach Trevor Adair. "We were not sharp, especially around the box. We did pick up some energy in the second half when we scored two goals. We will have to play better against NC State in Raleigh this Sunday in our first road ACC match."

Clemson is now off until next Sunday when the Tigers travel N.C State for a 3:00 PM match in Raleigh.