Men’s Soccer

Last Week Review

Last week, I said that dropping to 0-4 in the ACC would be a disaster....well, we’re officially in disaster mode, because the Tigers got smoked by UVA at home on Friday. It looked like Clemson might put up a fight after Tanner Dieterich sentenced home a shot from 25 yards out to equalize coming out of half time. That goal, unfortunately, only seemed to enrage the Cavaliers, who responded with 3 goals in the next 10 minutes to essentially end the game.

Once again, Clemson’s offense failed to do much of anything, with Dieterich’s blast being the only shot on goal, but this time, the defense also fell apart. Things are looking bad this season and I’m not sure they can be turned around.

Last Week’s Results

UVA 4 - Clemson 1

Current Record: 4-7-1 (0-4 ACC)

This Week

The only positive right now for the Tigers is a brief step down in competition, as a mediocre Coastal Carolina team rolls into to town on Tuesday. Hopefully we can figure something out and score a few goals. I’ve said it before and it hasn’t come to fruition, but maybe putting in a few goals will give a boost to the confidence. I’m just not sure you can boost something that appears to be dead.

On Saturday, Clemson heads north into horse country to take on the 11th ranked Louisville Cardinals. The good news is that Louisville has struggled in ACC conference play, only recording 2 ties and a draw in the their last 3 matches. The bad news is that Clemson is 0-4 and appears to be getting worse. The Tigers have the talent to compete with Louisville, it will be interesting to see if they actually do.

Tuesday: Coastal Carolina vs Clemson (7PM) TV - ACCN Extra (click to watch online)

Saturday: Clemson vs Louisville (7PM) TV - ACCN Extra (click to watch online)

Women’s Soccer

Last Week Review

The men’s team wasn’t the only squad on campus that suffered to 2nd half meltdown, as the normally steady women’s team also fell apart down the stretch in a 2-3 defeat to Duke. The Tigers struck early with a Miranda Speckmaier goal in the 8th minute to give Clemson a 1 goal lead that carried into half time. I’m not sure what the ladies had to eat at half time, but whatever it was, it should be taken of the the menu because they came out flat and gave up 2 goals in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half. It appeared that Clemson had righted the ship with a Miranda Weslake goal in the 65th minute to tie the game, but Duke answered back with a goal of their own in the 76th minute to win.

This is a season of almost’s and what-if’s for the women’s team. They’ve been in almost every game, but have failed to close out a few crucial games.

Last Week’s Results

Duke 3 - Clemson 2

Current Record: 10-6 (2-3 ACC)

This Week

If Clemson wants to stay in contention for a solid ACC seed and a spot in the tournament, they need to be perfect this week. They face a Wake Forest team that has struggled all season and are coming off 4 straight losses and a Virginia Tech team that beat top ranked UVA and then fell off the cliff, dropping 3 straight. The only problem being that both games are on the road, but Clemson has been good on the road this year, so that’s promising at least.

If the Speckmaier / Weslake combination keeps producing goals and the defense can find a way to stop shipping goals in the worst possible moments, the Tigers should come out of this week 2-0 with some real momentum going into the ACC tournament.

Thursday: Clemson vs Wake (7PM) TV - ACCN Extra (click for link)

Sunday: Clemson vs Virginia Tech (1PM) - No TV listed yet

Volleyball

Welp, not a good weekend for the volleyball team as they were blased by Duke on Friday and dropped a close match to Wake Forest on Sunday.

The take a tour of the ACC Florida schools this week, and I’m not optimistic.

Last Weeks Results

Clemson 0 - Duke 3

Clemson 2 - Wake Forest 3

Current Record: 10-11 (1-7 ACC)

This Week

Friday: Clemson vs Miami (7PM)

Sunday: Clemson vs Florida State (1PM)