CLEMSON — The Clemson Tigers completed a conference takedown on Senior Day Saturday at the Clemson Lacrosse Complex with a 19-3 shutdown of the California Golden Bears.
A first half hat trick from senior attacker Lindsey Marshall, as well as multiple scores from Kayla McLeod and Brooke Goldstein helped the Tigers carve out their fourth conference victory before Cal could find any bearings.
Clemson proved again today that when its opponents make mistakes, they are ready to capitalize. The Tigers forced 17 turnovers and 18 fouls, only allowing 18 Golden Bears shots to their 39.
With the win, Clemson extends its winning streak to three games, after securing six wins to start the season followed by four consecutive losses.
In the first minute of the first quarter, the Tigers’ (9-4, 4-2 ACC) defense forced a turnover and quick passing down the field opened Goldstein for a pass from Lexi Edmonds for the first goal of the game.
After Goldstein’s game-opening score, both teams found themselves in a five-minute stalemate marked by four total turnovers. Marshall ended the drought with a rip to the back of the cage for her 35th goal of the season. The veteran’s goal brought the Tigers’ offense alive, and they scored three more in three minutes.
Cal attackers Avery Hoeft and Emily Moes answered back with goals of their own, but Clemson held a 7-2 lead after the first quarter. The second quarter proved more of the same for the Tigers, as they held the Golden Bears (5-7, 0-6 ACC) scoreless and added three more goals thanks to Katie Castiello, Natalie Shurtleff, and McLeod.
The Tigers held a 10-2 lead at the break.
Clemson opened the second half with a proper Senior Day celebration. Senior Lexi Edmonds added a goal and senior goalkeeper Emily Lamparter picked up her seventh save of the day with a left-corner deflection.
Lamparter finished with eight saves on 16 Cal shots. She was replaced in the fourth quarter by Gigi Adamson who gave up no goals.
Cal added another goal, but it was negated by quick shots from Marshall and Regan Byrne. Byrne, a sophomore, finished with two goals while Marshall, a Catonsville, Md., native, showed out with five scores and an assist.
The Golden Bears went scoreless in the last 22 minutes of play.
Goals from Edmonds, senior Demma Hall, and McLeod in the fourth cemented the final 19-3 score. Edmonds and McLeod each finished with hat tricks and a combined four assists.
The seniors combined for nine of the Tigers’ 17 goals. Head coach Allison Kwolek picked the right day to honor her seniors.
Up Next
The Tigers will host a Carolina midweek matchup this Tuesday at the Clemson Lacrosse Complex against Eastern Carolina University. First draw is set for 5 p.m.