Charlotte 49ers women's soccer made history as they drew with No. 25 ranked Clemson 0-0 at home in the final non-conference game of the season.
"I'm so proud of this group," said Head Coach Brandi Fontaine. "They gave everything they had today, and I couldn't ask for much more. They left it all out on the line, and it was a group effort; it wasn't individual. I couldn't be more proud of them, and it will help us jumpstart into conference play."
For the first time under Fontaine, securing their first decision against a nationally ranked opponent, it was their first decision since 2017 and the first clean sheet against a power conference opponent since 2007.
Stale opening half
The first half was fought relatively evenly. There were only two shots between the teams, both coming from the Tigers and only one on goal, where keeper Emma Wakeman stopped a deep shot from Dani Davis.
Pouncing Tigers in the second half
Both teams pushed the attack in the second half the 49ers only getting two total shots but had some opportunities that the timing did not work out on.
Each team was pushing the pace but could not find shooting opportunities, and the defensive play in the midfield was coming up strong.
Overcoming a red card
Charlotte had to up the defensive ante as Grace Keighley got her second yellow card, which resulted in a red card, leaving the 49ers down to 10 players in the 77th minute.
After that, the Tigers were on the prowl, sending in five shots with four on goal, with Wakeman making the stop on three of them for saves. The other save came when Wakeman had to come out to make a save, and the rebound ended up at the feet of a Clemson attacker in the box. Charlotte defender Sydney Smith came up at the right spot, making a save to keep the game scoreless.
The teams held each other off to conclude in a scoreless draw. The 49ers' non-conference schedule ended with a record of 1-5-2, while Clemson held on to a record of 4-1-2.
Takeaways
Defense stood strong. The 49ers after giving up few goals early in the season are finding their way back to the solid defensive squad they were last year with back-to-back clean sheets.
“I think this team, we had huge aspirations, huge goals at the beginning of the season, and clean sheets were definitely one of them,” said Wakeman. “That was part of our identity last season. So it feels really great to continue that into this season, especially against a ranked opponent, and make a big statement right before conference.“
The home crowd fueled the historic outcome as the fans were providing a boost of energy onto the pitch with support of the band.
"We love it when we get some of that extra support, especially from the band, the cheerleaders, and then the fans in general have always been been incredible the whole season," said Wakeman. "So we hope that they continue to support us as we go into conference play as well, because we're about to welcome some really strong opponents."
Stars of the game
Wakeman came through in the big moments for the team, holding off a Tigers squad averaging 2.17 goals per game. Wakeman ended the night with four saves.
Smith stood out, capping off an American Athletic Conference (AAC) Defensive Player of the Week award, helping hold down the backline and even making a save of her own.
AAC begins against the Bulls
Thursday night, Charlotte begins their conference season hosting the South Florida Bulls at 7 p.m.
The rematch from last season will see each team look to score their first goal against each other since the 49ers joined the AAC last year.
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