By Chris Vaccaro
Normally when playing a team from a perennial athletic powerhouse such as the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), players would be skeptical about obtaining positive results. After losing to No. 25 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on Friday at the Clemson University Invitational Tournament, the Pride’s men’s soccer team was not distraught and constructed a commanding game plan winning the entire tournament and upsetting host Clemson (6-3) 3-0 on Sunday.
In its second invitational of the season, the Pride (4-5) won the tournament due to a plus-2 goal differential (+2),
Yet the 3-2 loss to the Chanticleers sparked the Pride.
“We dominated the first 60 minutes, and played well in the beginning but ran out of steam,” coach Richard Nuttall said. “We had some mental errors, but we were taught a lesson. It gave us confidence, and showed we can play with anyone.”
On top of a rigorous schedule, the team had to cope with the travel times, and the humid weather of South Carolina – both of which wore out many players throughout the tournament.
“The humidity and journey played major parts in tiring the players,” Nuttall said. “We got through it and played our best.”
In its first ever win against an ACC team, the Pride had five shots on goal, but managed to net three. Meanwhile, the Tigers had 16 shots and could not capitalize on any.
“They out shot us, but we played fantastic defense,” Nuttall said.
The game winning goal was scored by sophomore midfielder Gerd Schuster, his first as a member of the Pride after transferring from the Friedrich Alexander University in Germany. Schuster netted a beautiful header from 12 yards at 24:35 of the first half. It came after senior midfielder Matthew Telling sent a direct kick through the penalty box.
“Gerd really had a great run, and put in a glorious goal,” Nuttall said.
Nearly three minutes later, with their best chance of the game, the Tigers (7-3) almost tied the score, but the crossbar stood in the way.
Junior Jason Gates scored his first goal of the season when he was assisted by Schuster and sophomore midfielder Constantinos Christoudias, adding the Pride’s second goal 1:20 into the second half.
Already securing an insurance goal, the Pride tacked on one more with 7:41 remaining when sophomore Paulo Walters scored his first goal of the season.
Junior goaltender Matthias Gumbrecht had four saves and earned his fourth shutout in as many wins this season, while Tigers goalie Phil Marfuggi had none.
Junior Michael Todd garnered tournament offensive MVP while Schuster, Gumbrecht, and sophomore Gary Flood were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Flood and Schuster won the same honors in the Long Island University Classic earlier this season.
Nuttall said the Pride will use this game to build on for the rest of the year.
“This win shows we will compete and helps us build a platform for success,” Nutall said.
For the Tigers, however, it’s a step back.
“I was really disappointed in the team’s performance today,” said Clemson coach Trevor Adair. “They beat us in every aspect of the match. We got what we deserved. We are missing speed up front. I am disappointed in the leadership, finishing, and defending. [the Pride] played with more intensity and they wanted it more than we did.”
Colonial Athletic Association games cover the remainder of the season for the Pride, who has its hands full with a slew talented teams.
“There really are no easy games, it’s a conference with great quality,” Nuttall said. “We’ll be presented with great challenges.”