MACON, Ga. – No. 9/10 Clemson (6-4, 2-3 ACC) generated 11 goals in the first half to down Mercer (3-5) Tuesday evening in Macon, Ga.
Alexa Spallina recorded eight points on the day from a hat trick and six assists. She tied for the second-most points in a single game for Clemson and ranks second for assists per game, both trailing her own records (10 points – Furman, 2/10/26 & seven assists – Queens (2/17/26). Natalie Shurtleff registered a first half hat trick while also tallying an assist. Emma Penczek, Kayla MacLeod and Brooke Goldstein each scored two goals. Penczek also recorded one assist and created five turnovers. Bridget Babcock had two points on the day (one goal and one assist), while Regan Byrne, Aubrie Eisfeld and Marleigh O’Day each scored one goal. Babcock was also effective on the defensive side of the ball, picking up two ground balls and causing three turnovers. Kira Balis recorded a season high 10 draw controls. Tessa DeLuca played all 60 minutes in goal, recording three saves.
FIRST QUARTER | 6-0, CLEMSON
Clemson dominated the opening quarter, striking first on Spallina’s free‑position finish before Shurtleff added back‑to‑back goals to build a quick 3–0 lead. The Tigers controlled nearly every draw and kept Mercer under constant pressure with MacLeod and Penczek extending the advantage to 5–0. Clemson’s ride forced repeated Mercer turnovers and Spallina tacked on her second of the frame to make it 6–0. Despite a handful of late cards on both sides, the Tigers maintained full control throughout the period.
SECOND QUARTER | 11-3, CLEMSON
Clemson continued to control the pace in the second quarter with Shurtleff striking early off an assist from Spallina to push the lead to 7–0. Mercer briefly broke through with a pair of goals, but the Tigers answered immediately as Eisfeld, Babcock and O’Day each found the back of the net to keep the margin comfortable. Clemson’s draw unit, led by Balis, dominated possession and repeatedly set up extended offensive sequences. A late free‑position goal from Spallina sent the Tigers into halftime firmly in command, up 11–3.
THIRD QUARTER | 14-5, CLEMSON
Clemson opened the third quarter with a quick strike from Byrne to push the lead to 12–3 but the period soon turned choppy with multiple cards on both sides. Mercer capitalized on the advantage, scoring twice, including a man‑up finish to trim the deficit to 12–5. The Tigers steadied themselves out of the media timeout, responding with goals from MacLeod and Goldstein to regain full control. Behind strong draw work and timely defensive stops, Clemson closed the quarter firmly in front, 14–5.
FOURTH QUARTER | 16-8, CLEMSON
Clemson absorbed an early Mercer push in the fourth quarter as the Bears scored twice to cut the margin to 14–7 before the Tigers settled back in. Penczek stopped the run with a composed finish off an assist from Spallina, restoring a comfortable cushion. Mercer added one more late in the game but Clemson answered again through Goldstein to close the door. The Tigers controlled the final minutes and secured a 16–8 victory to cap a steady, disciplined fourth quarter.
STATS RECAP
- Shurtleff | Three goals, one assist & two draw controls.
- Spallina | Three goals & six assists.
- Penczek | Two goals, one assist, one ground ball & five caused turnovers.
- MacLeod | Two goals.
- Goldstein | Two goals.
- Babcock | One goal, one assist, two ground balls, three caused turnovers & three draw controls.
- Camryn Pfundstein | One ground ball.
- Balis | 10 draw controls.
- Teagan Scott | One draw control.
- DeLuca | Three saves & one ground ball.
- Byrne | One goal.
- Eisfeld | One goal, one ground ball, one caused turnover & one draw control.
- O’Day | One goal.
- Mikaela Mooney | One ground ball.
- Jasmine Stanton | One ground ball.
- Maddigan Miller | One caused turnover.
UP NEXT
The Tigers will trek up to the Steel City to face No. 24/25 Pittsburgh on Saturday, March 21 for a 1 p.m. game.
TICKETS
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