Clemson, S.C. – The Fordham men's soccer team took the #7 team in the country, the Clemson Tigers, to overtime on the road on Tuesday night but a late goal by the hosts at the end of the first extra period gave Clemson a slim 3-2 victory. With the loss, the Rams fall to 1-4-1, while the Tigers improve to 6-0 overall.
The Rams got out on the front foot in this one, taking an early 1-0 lead in the 24
th minute through
Sameer Fathazada's first goal of the season, a header following a cross from
Bart Dziedzic, his third assist in the last two matches.
Jack Sluys was also credited with an assist on the play, his second in the same span. Prior to that, the Tigers began the game with six shots, two of which were saved by
Konstantin Weis and two that were blocked.
Following the goal, Clemson made four substitutions at once two more within five minutes and the Tigers broke through in the 34
th minute through Robbie Robinson off the bench. Robinson added a second in the match and seventh of his season just four minutes later, giving the hosts a 2-1 advantage by halftime.
An own goal brought the Rams level in the 75
th minute, 2-2, and each team mustered just one shot the remainder of regulation. Weis made a save within a minute of the start of overtime on a shot by Tanner Dieterich but the third shot of the period, this by Alvaro Gomez, found the back of the net from the top of the box with just 22 seconds remaining before the whistle.
Clemson held the advantage in shots, 18-8, and corners, 8-0. Weis made a season-high five saves compared to his opposite number's two. Tuesday is the first time Weis and the Rams defense has allowed more than two goals in a match this season.
Johannes Pieles and
Filippo Ricupati each had two shots, one on target, to lead the attack.
Fordham returns to the Bronx to kick off Atlantic 10 action this Saturday afternoon against La Salle at 2 p.m. on ESPN+.
