St. John’s Drops Season Opener to No. 6 Clemson, 2-1

Thursday, August 26

Clemson, S.C. (Riggs Field)

7 p.m.

St. John's University

0-1-0, 0-0-0

No. 6 Clemson

1-0-0, 0-0-0

St. John's

Clemson

Photo by: Clemson Athletics, Alana McCallion

St. John’s Drops Season Opener to No. 6 Clemson, 2-1

8/26/2021 9:42:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Red Storm led for more than 55 minutes against perennial ACC power

By: Andrew O'Connell

CLEMSON, S.C. – The St. John's men's soccer team led No. 6 Clemson for more than 55 minutes during Thursday night's season opener, but a late push from the Tigers resulted in a 2-1 victory for the home side at Historic Riggs Field.

Anthony Herbert scored the Red Storm's lone goal of the evening, finding the back of the net for the first time as a Johnnie. Einar Lye picked up an assist on the play.

Clemson, the top overall seed in last spring's NCAA Tournament, extended its home unbeaten streak to 26 games with the come-from-behind win.

Following two early shots from the Tigers, the Red Storm captured the lead in just the ninth minute of action. Lye sent an in-swinging corner kick to a perfect spot in the box for Herbert, who jockeyed for position with his defender before leaping into the air and heading a ball into an impossible spot for Clemson keeper George Marks.

The Red Storm looked as if it might add onto its lead in the 26^th minute, as Wesley Leggett broke free from his defender and had a 1-on-1 chance against the keeper. The junior, however, was unable to convert and the St. John's lead stayed at one.

Clemson came away with a few good looks in the closing minutes of the first half, but the Red Storm backline, anchored by Luka Gavran in net, managed to keeping the Tigers off the board. Last season, Clemson ranked third nationally with 35 total goals.

At the half, St. John's led 1-0, but shots were 8-3 in favors of the Tigers. Three of Clemson's eight chances were on net and the Tigers also registered four corners to the Red Storm's one.

With about 10 minutes gone in the second half, the Red Storm registered a pair of solid scoring chances, but was unable to extend its lead. Brandon Knapp had a shot deflected in front to set up the team's second corner kick of the night. That set piece led to a Lucas Bartlett try that missed just left.

Beginning around the 60^th minute, Clemson stepped up its pressure in the attacking third. The Tigers broke through with an Isaiah Reid equalizer in the 66^th minute before Hamady Diop made it a 2-1 contest in the 77^th minute. James Brighton assisted on the first Clemson tally.

The Johnnies, however, would not go down without a fight.

In the 85^th minute, Leggett was taken down from behind with a clear look at goal, resulting in a red card for Justin Malou and giving the Red Storm a free kick from the top of the 18-yard box. Bartlett put a strong right foot on the ball, which appeared to be tucking perfectly under the cross bar, but Marks made a brilliant cross-body save to punch away Bartlett's chance and preserve the Clemson advantage.

St. John's will play its home opener on Monday, Aug. 30, when it welcomes UAlbany to Belson Stadium. Season and single-game tickets are on sale through the St. John's Ticket Office at RedStormTix.com and 1-888-GO-STORM.