Leib, Castenfelt Propel Tigers to 2-0 ACC Victory
CLEMSON, S.C. - Sophomore Taylor Leib opened the scoring in the 67’ of play, while Junior Anna Castenfelt added a goal late in the 87’ to push the Clemson Tigers to a 2-0 victory against the Syracuse Orange (3-4-3, 0-2 ACC) on Thursday evening at Historic Riggs Field. Following the win, the Tigers improved to 1-1 in ACC play, 5-2-2 overall.
“We did exactly what we set out to do,” said Head Coach Eddie Radwanski. “We wanted to dominate and take over the game, have a lot of good possessions, and out of that we created opportunities. We would have liked to see a goal or two go in earlier, but it's a 90:00 game. That was my message ‘does it matter if we score in the first minute or the 80th minute.' We were focused on doing what we do. The fruits of our labor paid off and we got a great goal, and then got another one. This is not easy, we’re in the ACC, it's a good conference. This is a good team and they’re fighting as well.” For more from Coach Radwanski, click here
The Tigers found themselves with a couple of good looks early in the first half, with Juju Harris firing off a header that barely missed to the right of the net. Carla Small followed with a quick shot off of her left foot, which was tipped into the side of the post by a diving Maya Naimoli to keep the match scoreless. In total, Clemson took a total of 12 shots in the first half, while preventing the Orange from taking any.
After returning to the field, Natalie Brooks took the first shot of the second half for the Tigers in the 50’ and Dani Davis followed with another in the 52’, both of which Syracuse’s Naimoli saved.
The Tigers broke open the scoring in the 67’ with a goal from Leib. After Alessandra Washington picked up the ball around midfield, she dribbled down the left side of the field to inside the penalty box. Washington made a hard stop, forcing the Syracuse defender to run past her to allow a cross pass to land on Leib’s feet for a two-touch shot and goal. It was Leib’s third goal of the season and Washington’s first assist.
Castenfelt found the back of the net in the 87’ for the Tigers’ second goal of the night. Ella Bach picked up the ball at midfield before passing it over to Castenfelt, who dribbled up the field before firing off the shot to the bottom right corner of the net with her right foot. Castenfelt leads the Tigers with four goals on the year, and added two shots on goal to bring her season total to 15. Clemson finished the match with a total of 21 shots, and held Syracuse to just five.
In goal, graduate Nona Reason picked up her fourth solo shutout of the season, earning her fifth win in 2026. She picked up another two saves to bring her season total to 22.
Up Next
Clemson hits the road for a matchup with the Miami Hurricanes on Thursday, September 24. Action in Coral Gables is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. The match will be broadcast live on ACCNX.