CLEMSON– The 17th-ranked Clemson Tigers’ game against the Pittsburgh Panthers Thursday afternoon may have been pink-themed, but the Tigers came out red-hot in the 14-6 win at the Clemson Lacrosse Complex.
The Tigers did not lack motivation or energy during the afternoon showdown. To start, Clemson was coming off a tough 14-8 loss at Stanford last weekend after winning five consecutive games, including three ACC victories.
Clemson also hoped to bounce back to win their last home game of the season and gain momentum before the ACC Tournament commences next week. The Tigers finished 7-3 in home games this season, with a five-game home winning streak to end the regular season.
If the Tigers needed more motivation, the squad hosted their annual Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Game. A video of several players who have personally been affected by breast cancer played over the screen as the Tigers emerged from the sideline after the first quarter to build on their 6-1 lead.
Whatever the Tigers’ (12-5, 6-3 ACC) main motivations were for defeating the Panthers (8-7, 2-7 ACC), broken records were included in the 72-degree sunny weather forecast.
In the first quarter, attacker Lindsey Marshall got Clemson’s offense started with a cage-rattling goal in the fifth minute for her 52nd goal this season. With the score, Marshall broke the single-season goals record in Clemson history.
Two first-quarter goals later, Marshall broke another Clemson record. The Catonsville, Md., native became the single-season points (assists plus goals) leader with 65 points.
Sophomore attacker Kayla MacLeod added two goals and an assist of her own in the first quarter, cementing herself as the all-time leader in points with 86.
After Marshall and MacLeod led the Tigers to a 6-1 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Panthers got on the board in the second period, forcing three Clemson turnovers in three minutes. Pitt’s Avery Moon knocked in a goal to cut the Tigers’ lead 7-2 with 11:32 to play in the half, but Clemson answered with a prompt 5-0 run to extend the lead 12-2 at the break.
Though the Panthers put up four second-half goals, scores from Clemson’s Katie Castiello and Demma Hall locked the 14-5 victory to end the regular season.
Marshall and MacLeod each finished with a team-high four goals, while freshman attacker Brooke Goldstein led all Tigers with four assists. Senior Lexi Edmonds added two goals of her own while sophomores Natalie Shurtleff and Regan Byrne each added another.
Jenna Hendrickson, Jill Fenech, and Emily Coughlin added goals for the Panthers.
On the other side of the field, Clemson’s defense forced 23 turnovers to the Tigers’ 15 and allowed only 13 shots to Clemson’s 28. Emily Lamparter started in the cage for the Tigers, recording ten saves from 15 shots on goal.
Moment of the Game
During a first-half break, game attendees who are breast cancer survivors or fighters (close to someone affected by breast cancer) were invited to stand up to be recognized. Both teams and every fan at the Complex cheered as several stood, donning their provided pink shirts.
Injuries
Macleod left in the second half with an apparent knee injury. In the fourth quarter, she returned from the locker room to the sideline with crutches.
Up Next
The Tigers will begin their postseason next Wednesday, April 23, when they travel to Charlotte to participate in the ACC Tournament. Currently, Clemson is the fifth seed in the ACC. If their position holds, the Tigers will play the fourth-seeded team (currently Stanford) at 2 p.m. in a rematch on Wednesday.