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Women's Soccer

Aug 17, 2022

2022 Women’s Soccer Preview

Experienced. Talented. Tight-knit. With 20 returners and another highly touted freshmen class, the women’s soccer team is set up for an incredibly exciting fall season. All-Conference players Megan Bornkamp, Hal Hershfelt, Makenna Morris and Renee Lyles are set to lead the charge along with two-time United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Week Caroline Conti.
The Tigers went 12-7-1 overall and 6-3-1 in ACC play during the 2021 campaign and earned their eighth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

“We are all very excited for the upcoming season,” said Head Coach Eddie Radwanski. “We’ve got an experienced team that’s returning. We have been a young, talented team the last couple of years, and now we are hoping to take advantage of the experience we have gained over the last few years and turn it into one of the best seasons we’ve had. I’m excited about the returners and incoming players and what they will add to our team. We’re extremely excited to get back out to Historic Riggs Field and see the incredible Clemson fans come support us.”

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Experience is the name of the game for the Tigers as two dozen returners registered at least one start during the 2021 season with eight starting almost every match. The Tigers return 12 players who accounted for 85 percent of the total points and 90 percent of the total goals.
Seven newcomers will join the 2022 squad, including six freshmen and fifth-year senior transfer from College of Charleston, Kacey Smekrud. Emily Brough comes to Clemson from Liverpool, England to join Fran Stables and Caitlin Smith as the third English player on the team.

Bornkamp enjoyed yet another successful season for Clemson, registering unbelievable numbers from primarily the center back position. She notched a team-best 10 goals and 30 points. Her offensive prowess also contributed 10 assists, good for second on the team. Bornkamp was rewarded for her efforts as she was named a United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-American, First Team All-ACC, United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Atlantic Region, ACC All-Tournament Team and Preseason All-ACC Team. She also excelled in the classroom to be named to the All-ACC Academic Team and CoSIDA Academic All-District Team.

Senior Hershfelt will look to expand upon her brilliant junior season where she set a career-high 17 points, including seven goals and three assists. As the backbone of the midfield, Hershfelt played and started in all 20 matches and was awarded Second Team All-ACC and United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Atlantic Region. She was named to the All-ACC Academic Team alongside Bornkamp.

Goalkeeper Halle Mackiewicz saw time in goal in both of her first two seasons with the Tigers but will look to make an even bigger impact now as Hensley Hancuff graduated and is currently playing professionally with Gotham FC.

The Tiger’s defense will look similar as Bornkamp, Harper White, Smith and Morris all return for the Tigers. Morris is also an offensive weapon as she was second on the team in 2021 with 21 points, coming off six goals and nine assists. Sophomore and Gatorade National Player of the Year Layne St. George will look to provide help in the back as well.

The midfield and forward positions will also bring back loads of firepower as Hershfelt, Lyles, Conti, Maliah Morris, Sydney Minarik, Devi Dudley and Stables all will look to be offensive threats.

Seniors Hershfelt, Conti, White and Morris have accomplished great things in their time as a part of the Clemson program with three NCAA Tournament appearances and an Elite Eight appearance. Sixth-year player Courtney Jones has five NCAA tournament appearances under her belt and looks to cap off her amazing career with another run of her own.

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