CLEMSON, S.C. - Presbyterian College women's soccer opened the 2010 schedule with a stunning first half of play against the Clemson Tigers but ultimately fell, 4-0 at Riggs Field.  PC threatened the goal on five occasions in the first period but could not convert the opening goal. 

"I thought the first half was a dead-even game," said head coach Brian Purcell.  "For us to even play even with Clemson is something for us to be proud of.  In the end, I think their athletic ability and fitness wore us down." 

The Blue Hose came out strong in the early minutes, posting the match's first shot when Kate Baker ripped a shot from inside the box just four and a half minutes into the match. 

Baker nearly put PC on top in the 17th minute when she cracked a hard shot from 20 yards that hit the bottom of the crossbar and bounced straight down onto the goal line.  The Clemson keeper was on the scene but nearly bumbled the ball into the net as she pounced on the ball.

PC tallied five shots in the first half with four off the boot of Baker and four attempts requiring a Tiger save.  Clemson registered five shots in the first 45 minutes with just one troubling PC's goalkeeper Sarah Beth Anderson.  She recorded the save on a tough shot in the 36th minute.

Just 43 seconds after the halftime restart, Clemson broke the deadlock with a goal off an attacking throw in.  The goal was scored by Haylee Karg.

Clemson went two goals up in the 64th minute when Maddy Elder finished a Clemson counterattack with an unassisted goal.

PC tallied a solid goal chance with 21 minutes remaining in the game when Brittany Whitson's long-ball found fellow freshman Sara Simpson in-step at the back foot of the last defender.  Simpson made space but had her shot from the top of the 18-yard box saved by the Clemson netminder.

Three minutes later, Melanie Martin took her second shot in the last two seasons but saw it saved in spectacular fashion.  The Tigers went back down the field and scored their third goal of the match again via the counter.

With 8:40, Clemson tallied a fourth goal when Maggie Murphy scored for the Tigers.

The Blue Hose were unable to score in the waning minutes as Clemson cemented the 4-0 decision.

PC had eight shots in the game to Clemson's 18.  Anderson made five saves in goal as she went the distance for the first time in her career. 

"I'm excited about Sunday to have the biggest name Division I school come to Clinton," added Purcell.  "I think we're going to come into the match with a little more confidence than we would prior to tonight's match."

The Blue Hose will return to action on Sunday afternoon at home against the Navy Midshipmen.  The match, from Edens Field at Martin Stadium, will begin at 1 p.m. and will be carried live on the Big South Network.  For more information about the Big South Network, please visit www.BigSouthSports.com.