Tigers Run Past Gardner-Webb, 5-1
CLEMSON, S.C. - The Clemson Tigers stormed through Thursday night with a 5-1 win over the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs that included two goals from junior Anna Castenfelt and singular goals from Natalie Brooks, Jenna Tobia and Taylor Leib. With the win, Clemson improved to 3-1-2, while Gardner Webb dropped to 2-3-1.
“I am proud of the moments where we showed we were the better team”, Said Head Coach Eddie Radwanski "We scored five goals, which was a good thing. We did a lot of good things with our attacking rhythm. Games like this help you to get better. We had a great start to the game because we were on top of it and we kept at it - that was a good sign. All of the things that we do are to help us get better and get ready for the ACC.” For more comments from Coach Radwanski postgame, click here
Leib, a sophomore, powered the Tigers with a career night, clocking one goal and two assists, while Castenfelt recorded her first collegiate career brace. Brooks scored her second goal of the 2026 campaign, and Tobia rounded out the group with her first goal of the year. In net, graduates Nona Reason and Addy Holgorsen split time. Reason got her sixth start of the year, and Holgorsen closed the match for the final 45 minutes of play.
Action began early for Clemson with back-to-back goals from Castenfelt in the 12’ and 19’ of play. Her opening goal was unassisted after she beat two defenders to get the shot off. Her second goal of the night was assisted by sophomore Juju Harris after she dribbled the ball half the length of the field and got the ball across the penalty box for Castenfelt to get a touch on.
Tobia notched her goal in the 35’ with assists from Leib and Izzy Dalke to push Clemson ahead. Leib added the final goal of the first half in the 42’ of play off a corner kick that was assisted by senior Erin Sheriden and sophomore Jolie Jenkins after Sheriden got her head on a corner kick taken by Jenkins. Through the first 45 minutes, Clemson outshot the Runnin’ Bulldogs, 15-0, that included eight shots on goal.
Gardner-Webb scored its lone goal in the 51’. The Tigers responded nine minutes later with a goal from Brooks with an assist by Leib that brought Clemson to its 5-1 victory. Clemson finished the match with 22 shots, including 15 on goal, and six corner kicks.
Up Next
Clemson is back in action at Historic Riggs Field on Sunday, September 6, at 6:00 to face UNC Asheville on Teacher and Professor Appreciation Night. Admission is free and open to the public and the match will be available to stream on ACCNX.