CLEMSON – Nearby boaters on Lake Hartwell were treated to the sound of celebratory music coming from the Clemson Lacrosse Complex for three hours straight Saturday, as No. 9 Clemson opened its season with a dominant 20-5 win over the Vanderbilt Commodores.
The Tigers, now in their fourth season as a program, kept all of their momentum from a second-round berth in the NCAA Tournament last season as returner Brooke Goldstein, freshman Aubrie Eisfeld as well as UT Albany transfer Mikaela Mooney all recorded at least three goals in the victory.
Last year’s standout midfielder Kayla Macleod notched two goals and an assist, while last year’s assist leader Natalie Shurtleff distributed two assists as Tiger fans roared and lit off orange smoke in the stands.
Head coach Alliston Kwolek’s squad bridged the familiar with the new as three freshmen, Alexa Spallina, Emma Penczek, and Eisfeld all notched their first collegiate goals and combined for 13 total points (goals and assists.)
With the win, Clemson improved to 1-0 for the fourth consecutive time in program history. This victory, unlike some other season-openers, however, was all but decided mere minutes into the game.
Just 37 seconds into the first quarter and young season, the Tigers opened all scoring with a goal from Mooney, a junior from Bayport, N.Y. Spallina, the No. 1 high school recruit in the 2025 class, notched her first collegiate assist on the score.
In the next four minutes, Goldstein, a sophomore, took over the game for Clemson. She scored her first two goals of the season and 21st and 22nd of her career to take a 3-0 lead with ten minutes to play in the first quarter.
A familiar duo, Macleod and Natalie Shurtleff, a preseason All-American, made it 4-0 with a quick pass and shot off of Macleod’s stick to the back of the cage.
Clemson scored three more in the first, including one from graduate Bridget Babcock and another from Eisfeld, a former five-star recruit. The Tigers added six more goals in the second period to take a 13-2 lead at the half.
Clemson, led by Goldstein added three more insurance goals in the third quarter, holding Vanderbilt to just one. They coasted to the final 20 goals in the fourth. All four of the Tigers’ fourth quarter goals came at the hands of the freshman class in Penczek, Ella Pauley, Eisfeld, with one from Anna Brown.
Goldstein finished as the Tigers’ leading scorer with a career-high five goals, adding two assists for seven total points. Mooney finished with three goals and an assist. Spallina finished as the game leader in points with five assists and two goals.
Vanderbilt’s Nancy Halleron added two of Vanderbilt’s four goals, but she alone could not generate the offense needed to compete with Clemson’s defense, who forced nine turnovers and held the Commodores to only ten shots on goal to Clemson’s 27.
Sophomore Gigi Adamson started in goal for the Tigers and recorded three saves, allowing a 42.9 shot percentage. Five-star freshman Tessa Deluca replaced her in the fourth quarter and allowed one goal and two saves.
Injuries
While no visible injuries occurred for the Tigers, Kayla Macleod wore a hefty knee brace after suffering a season-ending injury last season. She appeared at full strength.
Moment of the Game
With 5:20 to play in the second quarter following a Vanderbilt turnover, freshmen Spallina and Penczek raced down the field. Spallina found Penczek for her first career goal, and the two celebrated with a jumping hug. It clearly showed a glimpse of the future of this team
Up Next
The Tigers will host Furman at the Clemson Lacrosse Complex on Tuesday in an attempt to extend a perfect 2-0 record against the Paladins and a 2-0 start to the season for the fourth time in four seasons. First draw is set for 6 p.m. and coverage will be shown on ACC Network Extra.
—photo courtesy of Clemson Athletic Communications