Clemson WLax Notches Decisive Win Over 'Dores

credit: Ashleigh Snyder, The Tiger

Clemson, S.C. – Clemson started off hot despite a chilly starting temperature in their game

against Vanderbilt to kick-off the women’s lacrosse season. Brooke Goldstein’s offensive

onslaught was the highlight of the day for Clemson

Full Game Recap

The Tigers won the opening drop ball right at noon, controlled by Natalie Schurtleff, The ball was passed to Alexa Spallina, who assisted Mikaela Mooney on an early goal 30 seconds into the contest.

Clemson proceeded to grab the second drop ball and it’s second shot attempted was saved by Vanderbilt goalie Emme Martin. After clearing the timeline on their first possession of the game, Vanderbilt’s Anna Taraboletti turned the ball over. Alexa Spallina’s shot for Clemson on their ensuing possession was wide right but the Tigers maintained possession. Brooke Goldstein took the ball in at the 11:53 mark with a goal that put the Tigers up 2-0.

The third drop ball of the game was won by Vanderbilt but was immediately turned over.

Spallina had her second shot on goal go wide left before Goldstein cleaned up with her second goal of the game at 10:13. Clemson would take the early 3-0 advantage. Gabby Putnam won the fourth drop ball but couldn’t find much momentum as Amiyah Turner committed a foul for a yellow card. Clemson took advantage of the woman-up position and scored on a cut from Kayla MacLeod. The Tigers extended their lead to 4-0 at the 9:30 mark.

Clemson won the drop ball after the goal but turned it over almost immediately. Vanderbilt

took the ball coast to coast and scored on the goal from Hayden Miller. The next drop ball was won by Vanderbilt but was followed up by a turnover from Nancy Halleron. Clemson

immediately turned the ball over but got the ball back after a slash on Hayden Miller.

The next goal came from Brooke Goldstein, her third of the game. Alexaa Spallina had the assist to put the home team up 5-1. Immediately following that goal, Clemson scored on a breakaway shot from Aubrie Eisfeld. Clemson won the ensuing drop and found Bridget Babcock with the goal with less than a minute to go in the quarter to take the 7-1 advantage heading into the second. Brooke Goldstein opened the second quarter with yet another goal for the Tigers to extend their lead.

Kira Balis won the next drop ball that led to a score from Mooney with 13:32 left, extending

Clemson’s lead and continue the Tigers’ offensive surge. Vanderbilt briefly gained possession on the ensuing draw, but another Commodore turnover halted any momentum. Mooney struck again just over a minute later, giving Clemson a 9-1 advantage midway through the second quarter.

Alexa Spallina added to the scoring party at the 11:00 mark, finishing a feed from Goldstein as Clemson continued to capitalize on clean, disciplined ball movement. Vanderbilt managed a handful of offensive opportunities, but shots sailed wide right or saved a Clemson maintained control in transition.

Emma Penczek found the back of the net with 5:15 remaining in the half off another assist from Spallina, pushing the Tigers into double digits. Vanderbilt answered late in the quarter with a goal from Nancy Halleron, but Clemson quickly responded. Kayla MacLeod scored at the buzzer to send the Tigers into halftime with a commanding 13-2 lead.

Clemson carried that momentum into the second half, striking first with a goal from Spallina at the 10:50 mark of the third. Brooke Goldstein followed shortly after, netting her fifth goal of the afternoon as Clemson extended its lead to 15-2. Vanderbilt managed to break through with another Halleron goal midway through the quarter, but the Tigers answered once again, this time with Aubrie Eisfeld scoring to make it 16-3 with three minutes remaining in the third.

From there, Clemson continued to control possession, limit Vanderbilt’s scoring chances, and

rotate through its lineup as the Tigers won a decisive 20-5 victor over the Commodores. The

win highlighted the offensive depth that Clemson possesses, strong draw control, and defensive pressure, setting an early tone for the 2026 campaign.

Stat Recap:

• Goldstein: Five goals, two assists and two ground balls.

• Mooney: Three goals, one assist, and one ground ball

• Eisfeld: Three goals, one draw control

• Spallina: Two goals, five assists (tied for most assists in a single game)

• Penczek: Two goals, one assist, three ground balls, five caused turnovers, five draw controls (tied for the second-most caused turnovers in a single game)

• MacLeod: Two goals, one assist

• Babcock: One goal, two assists, one draw control

• Shurtleff: Two assists, sits at 101 career points

• Tied for second-most team assists in a single game with 14

• Tied for fifth-most points in a single game with 34 (20 goals, 14 assists)

  
  

Up Next:

The Tigers host Furman for a 6 P.M. match at the Clemson Lacrosse Complex on Tuesday.