Clemson women’s lacrosse earned its 40th win in program history Tuesday afternoon, defeating Queens 24-5 in Charlotte, N.C. After a competitive first quarter, the eighth-ranked Tigers pulled away before halftime and controlled the rest of the game.
Clemson improved to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in ACC play. Two late goals in the opening quarter gave the Tigers a narrow edge heading into the second. That momentum carried over quickly. A powerful second-quarter stretch turned a one-goal game into a 16-4 halftime lead, highlighted by a 13-0 scoring run.
Ball movement played a key role in the outcome. Clemson set a program record with 17 assists on 24 goals, totaling 41 points. Freshman Alexa Spallina finished with seven assists and one goal. Three players posted multiple assists as the offense consistently found open opportunities.
Production came from across the roster. Twelve players scored, and four recorded hat tricks. Freshman Aubrie Eisfeld and junior Regan Byrne led with four goals each. Brooke Goldstein and Natalie Shurtleff added three apiece. Anna Brown and Ella Pauley each scored twice, while Spallina, Bridget Babcock, Teagan Scott, Mikaela Mooney, Caitlin McElwee, and Marleigh O’Day contributed one goal each. The 24 goals mark the third-highest total in program history.
Queens struck first midway through the opening quarter, but Clemson answered and held a 5-4 lead after one. The second quarter created separation, with steady pressure on both ends of the field.
With a running clock in the second half, Clemson continued to add to its lead. Pauley opened third-quarter scoring, Byrne added to her total, and O’Day notched her first collegiate goal during an advantage opportunity. The Tigers carried a 22-4 lead into the final quarter.
Two more goals in the fourth, including McElwee’s first in a Clemson uniform, capped the 24-5 road victory. The outing reflected the team’s depth and efficiency in its first road test of the season.
