MILTON, Ga. – No. 8/7 Clemson (3-2, 0-1 ACC) and No. 10/12 Florida (2-1, 0-0 Big 12) battled at Milton High School Stadium Saturday afternoon in a highly contested matchup that resulted in the Tigers falling short, 14-13. Clemson was led offensively by Natalie Shurtleff who tied Clemson’s record for most goals in a game with seven.
Clemson and Florida traded momentum all afternoon in a tight, high‑level matchup that came down to the final possession. After falling behind 4–0 early, the Tigers roared back with a 5–1 run sparked by Shurtleff’s first‑quarter hat trick to send the game into the break tied 5–5. Florida reclaimed control in the second, capitalizing on free‑position chances and closing the half on a three‑goal surge to take a 10–8 lead. The Gators extended their advantage to five in the third before Shurtleff added another, setting up a 13-9 fourth quarter led by Florida.
Clemson made its push in the fourth, with Mikaela Mooney, Aubrie Eisfeld and Shurtleff fueling a late surge that cut the deficit to 14–13. The Tigers won the ensuing draw and generated multiple quality looks, but Florida’s defense held firm in the closing seconds to escape with the one‑goal win. Shurtleff delivered a historic performance for Clemson with seven goals, tying the program’s single‑game record, and reaching 70 career goals. Emma Penczek, Kayla MacLeod Alexa Spallina Jasmine Stanton, Mikaela Mooney and Aubrey Eisfeld all added key contributions across the field as well.
FIRST QUARTER | TIED 5-5
Florida came out firing and built early separation, striking twice in the opening two minutes on a pair of free‑position opportunities. The Gators extended their lead to 4–0 behind but Clemson settled in and responded with back-to-back goals from Shurtleff. Penczek and MacLeod each added tallies to pull Clemson within one. Shurtleff completed her first‑quarter hat trick in the final two minutes, capping a 5–1 Clemson run to send the game into the break tied 5–5.
SECOND QUARTER | 10-8, FLORIDA
Florida regained momentum to open the second frame, capitalizing on a pair of early free‑position chances, pushing ahead 7–5. Clemson clawed back despite playing down a player with Shurtleff and Spallina each scoring to tie the game, 7-7. The Tigers briefly took their first lead of the afternoon on Stanton’s first goal of the season but Florida answered with a late push. The Gators netted three-straight goals, sending Clemson into halftime trailing 10–8.
THIRD QUARTER | 13-9, FLORIDA
Florida controlled the early stages of the third. After Clemson generated several early looks that were not converted, the Gators struck 11–8. Florida added two more, stretching the margin to five. Clemson finally broke through late in the frame when Shurtleff buried her fourth goal of the afternoon, trimming the deficit to 13–9 heading into the fourth.
FOURTH QUARTER | 14-13, FLORIDA
Clemson put together a late surge, opening the fourth with another goal from Mooney to pull within three scores before Florida answered on a free‑position goal. The Tigers kept pushing with Eisfeld and Shurtleff converting two clutch free‑position opportunities, trimming the deficit to 14–13. Clemson won the ensuing draw and generated multiple looks, but Florida’s defense and a series of late saves held off the rally as the Tigers came up just short.
STATS RECAP
UP NEXT
The Tigers will have a week off from competition before facing No. 6/8 Boston College on Saturday, Feb. 28. The game will take place at 2 p.m. at Fish Field House in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
TICKETS
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