Record Crowd, Record-Breaking Result: South Carolina Soccer Finally Tops Clemson
COLUMBIA, SC — South Carolina women’s soccer delivered a signature win Sunday, edging Clemson 1-0 in a match decided in the final minutes — and doing so in front of the largest crowd to ever watch a soccer game at Stone Stadium.
Breaking a four-year drought
The result carried real historical weight beyond the scoreline. South Carolina (2-1-0) snapped a four-year streak of draws against Clemson (0-1-2), securing its first outright win over the Tigers since a 1-0 result back on August 19, 2018. Ending a stretch that long against an in-state rival gives this victory significance that extends well past a single non-conference result.
A record crowd adds to the moment
The atmosphere matched the occasion. Stone Stadium drew 7,004 fans, the largest crowd ever recorded for either a men’s or women’s game at the venue. Even more notable within that total, student attendance alone topped 5,000 — also a new record, reflecting a level of campus engagement that speaks to how much this particular rivalry matchup meant to the South Carolina community.
A tense, back-and-forth opening half
The match opened with genuine offensive intent from both sides. South Carolina tested Clemson’s defense early with a shot attempt in the seventh minute, and Clemson answered shortly after, only to be denied by fifth-year goalkeeper Christina Tsaousis. The half remained scoreless through the break, but not without pressure — Clemson generated four additional attempts before halftime, with Tsaousis turning away two of them to keep the match level.
South Carolina pushes the pace after the break
The Gamecocks carried their energy into the second half, generating two more scoring chances, one of which forced a save. Clemson answered with an attempt of its own, but South Carolina’s defense stepped up to block it before it could threaten the goal.
A late scare, then a late breakthrough
With 10 minutes remaining, a yellow card issued to South Carolina’s Dempsey McMahon gave Clemson a free kick opportunity and a real chance to seize control late. The Tigers made the most of the resulting pressure, generating two shot attempts — the first turned away by Tsaousis, the second sailing just wide of the goal. That sequence could easily have shifted momentum firmly in Clemson’s favor, making what followed even more significant.
Instead, South Carolina delivered the decisive blow with just six minutes left on the clock. Cuyler Zulauf buried a rocket shot to the right side from just inside the 18-yard box, securing both her first goal of the season and the tenth of her career — a clutch, high-pressure finish that ultimately decided the match.
A milestone performance in net
Tsaousis capped the win with a season-high-tying four saves, recording her second shutout of the 2026 campaign in the process. Her performance in goal was every bit as central to the result as Zulauf’s late finish, particularly given how much offensive pressure Clemson generated throughout the match without ever finding the back of the net.
A pattern worth noting in this rivalry
The nature of this particular win also fits a broader trend in the South Carolina-Clemson series. With this result, 10 of South Carolina’s 12 all-time wins against Clemson have now come via shutout — a striking pattern that suggests defense, not offensive firepower, has consistently been the deciding factor whenever the Gamecocks have gotten the better of this rivalry.
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