CLEMSON, S.C. – No. 10/10 Clemson Lacrosse (9-4, 4-3 ACC) conquered Virginia Tech (7-6, 2-5 ACC) Saturday night in a 17-9 fashion at Conklin Field. It was a special night with a double feature of the Military Appreciation Game alongside the Conklin Field dedication. Clemson dominated in all phases of the game, commanding a 10-2 lead in the first 30 minutes en route to a 17-9 victory.
Alexa Spallina led the attack with four goals and an assist, while Natalie Shurtleff matched her scoring output with four goals and added four draw controls to dominate possession. Emma Penczek contributed two goals along with a strong defensive presence, recording a ground ball and two caused turnovers. Bridget Babcock added two goals of her own while collecting three ground balls and forcing a turnover. Brooke Goldstein facilitated the offense with one goal and two assists and Aubrie Eisfeld chipped in with one goal, two ground balls, a caused turnover and two draw controls. At the center circle, Kira Balis controlled the tempo with 10 draw controls.
FIRST QUARTER | 3-1, CLEMSON
Clemson struck first as Spallina put one in the back of the net in a woman-up situation, assisted by Regan Byrne. Shurtleff scored her 25th goal of the season, building a 2-0 lead against the Hokies. Spallina fired again, scoring her 25th goal of the season, adding to Clemson’s momentum. Virginia Tech responded with Lauren Render getting the Hokies on the board. Despite the Hokies’ efforts, Clemson closed the first quarter with a 3-1 lead.
SECOND QUARTER | 10-2, CLEMSON
Roughly a minute into the second quarter, Shurtleff scored her second of the day which was assisted by Goldstein. Virginia Tech struck back, only for Clemson to score again after Spallina notched a first-half hat trick, increasing Clemson's lead to 5-2. Babcock scored her sixth goal of the season. Soon after, Kayla MacLeod and Eisfeld both followed with goals of their own, expanding Clemson's lead to 8-2. With just a minute left in the half, Spallina scored her fourth of the night, followed by Shurtleff who collected a first-half hat trick herself. The Tigers ended the first half with a 10-2 lead.
THIRD QUARTER | 14-4, CLEMSON
The Tigers opened the third quarter with Penczek scoring her 18th goal of the season. Followed by Goldstein escalating the score, 12-2. The Hokies got one back with Reese Wallich but Clemson still maintained control when Babcock struck, putting the Tigers up 13-3. Shurtleff added a fourth goal to the board. Virginia Tech scored with 1:46 remaining but the Tigers still led, 14-4. Throughout the third quarter, Deb Conklin was a guest in the broadcast booth. Click HERE to view her full feature.
FOURTH QUARTER | 17-9, CLEMSON
Penczek opened up the final quarter, scoring her second of the night. Anna Brown followed up with back-to-back goals, extending Clemson’s lead, 17-4. Virginia Tech responded with four consecutive goals from Render, reaching six on the night. The Hokies scored one more with 14 seconds left prior to the Tigers claiming a 17-9 victory at Conklin Field.
STATS RECAP
- Shurtleff | Four goals on six shots and four draw controls.
- Spallina | Four goals on four shots and one assist.
- Penczek | Two goals on three shots, one ground ball and two caused turnovers.
- Babcock | Two goals on two shots, four ground balls and one caused turnover.
- Goldstein | One goal on two shots and two assists.
- MacLeod | One goal on two shots.
- Camryn Pfundstein | One ground ball.
- Kira Balis | Ten draw controls.
- Teagan Scott | Two caused turnovers and two ground balls.
- Brown | Two goals on two shots and one ground ball.
- Eisfeld | One goal on two shots, two ground balls, one caused turnover and two draw controls.
- Byrne | Two assists.
- Carly Wise | One caused turnover.
- Jane Hilsabeck | One ground ball
- Jordan DeBlasio | One draw control.
- DeLuca | Three saves and one ground ball.
- Adamson | Five saves.
UP NEXT
The Tigers will remain home to take on Davidson (9-2, 3-2 A10) for a 5 p.m. game this Tuesday, March 31 at Conklin Field.
TICKETS
Fans can purchase women's lacrosse tickets at ClemsonTigers.com/Tickets/.
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