Tag: Clemson women’s soccer

Clemson Women’s Soccer adds nine new Tigers on National Signing Day

Clemson softball adds new faces.

CLEMSON, S.C. – Head Coach Eddie Radwanski officially announced the addition of nine student-athletes to the Clemson women’s soccer program on National Signing Day. The class includes Elle Bissinger, Maddie Costello, Jolie Jenkins, Neely Kerr, Reese Klein, Taylor Leib, Madeline Parrott, Carla Small and Alessandra Washington.

“Congratulations to our new signees as we welcome them to Clemson Women’s Soccer,” Radwanski said. “This recruiting class ranks up there as one of our best recruiting classes.  It is a diverse group of talented players who are not only very good, talented soccer players but very good people. They competed at the highest levels of youth soccer and several have valuable US Youth National Team experience.  We are excited to welcome them to the Clemson Family!”

According to Top Drawer Soccer, the 2025 Clemson recruiting class is ranked No. 2 in the nation as they have four players in the Top 50 and eight players in the Top 200.

-Press Release via Clemson Athletic Communications 

Clemson takes down Campbell

Clemson looks great against Campbell.

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The Clemson Tigers (4-1-0) improved their record to four wins in-a-row as they toppled Campbell (1-2-3), 3-1 in Buies Creek on Sunday. Sophomore transfer Christian Brathwaite scored her first goal of the season while freshman Kendall Bodak netted her second of the year.

“First, I want to thank Coach Jeff Gross and Campbell Athletics for being flexible in adjusting our game time to avoid bad weather, we appreciate them being flexible,” Head Coach Eddie Radwanski said. “Although it was a hot day, both teams competed well. I like how we moved the ball and got into some good positions. We scored some good goals but I would like us to be a bit more lethal in and around the box. Overall, a good win on the road and now we start to focus on next week.”

The Tigers came out strong in the first 45 minutes as they held possession for the majority of the half and created multiple scoring opportunities at the top of the box. For the first half, Clemson’s back-line impressed as they provided no scoring opportunities for Campbell as they out shot the Fighting Camels 15-0 by halftime.

Clemson took the 1-0 lead at the 32 minute-mark as Campbell scored an own-goal to get the Tigers on the board. Seven minutes after the own-goal at the 39th minute, Brathwaite increased the Tiger lead by two as she scored her first in the Clemson uniform. Sydney Minarik found possession near midfield and passed the ball up towards Kam Pickett, who then passed the ball to Brathwaite in scoring position. The sophomore was able to kick the ball past two Campbell defenders and found the sweet-spot to the left of the Fighting Camels keeper.

In the second half, Campbell was able to get one in at the 50th minute but Clemson was able to respond as Bodak scored unassisted to keep the Tigers in the lead. Bodak, who found possession of the ball after it bounced off a Campbell defender, shot the ball to the right of the keeper to help Clemson secure the 3-1 victory. The freshman now leads the team in overall points as she has six total so far this season.

Overall, the Tigers dominated the match as they out-shot Campbell 30-2 as Clemson’s defense was unbreakable. Out of the 30 shots, 12 were on target.

Up next, the Tigers will head to Columbia, S.C. on Thursday, September 5 as they are set to take on No. 21 South Carolina for the second game of the 2024-25 Palmetto Series. The match is slated for 6 p.m. and will be broadcasted on ESPNU.

For complete coverage of the Clemson women’s soccer team, follow @ClemsonWSoccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

– Via Clemson Athletic Communications 

Clemson falls in season opener against Auburn

Clemson drops its season opener against Auburn.

CLEMSON, S.C. – Following a tough battle, the No. 5 Clemson Tigers dropped their season opener to the Auburn Tigers, 0-4. Two Tigers earned their first collegiate start and eight Tigers played in their first match for Clemson.

“We just didn’t get off to a good start,” Head Coach Eddie Radwanski said. “I thought that Auburn brought really good energy into the game and I don’t think we matched that. After we conceded an own goal, I think there was a little bit of doubt that creeped in and that was just unfortunate. Those things can happen and the reality is you win games and lose games so we didn’t win this game, but nothing’s changed. We have to get ready to come back on Sunday and start doing things well that we normally have done. It didn’t go our way today, but that’s why there is a next game.”

The Tigers went to battle early in the first half as they unfortunately suffered from an own goal three minutes into the match that shifted the momentum for Auburn. With Auburn being led by 13 experienced seniors and fifth-year starters, the Tigers were unable to respond with little chances in the first 45.

Clemson brought back the energy in the second half as they found more chances and had good-looks while in possession of the ball. The Tigers finished with 10 shots on goal and took five corners. The Tigers maintained possession of the ball for the majority of the second half as they started to build more momentum but ran out of time on the clock to get any shots past the post.

In total, Clemson held possession for 62% of the match, compared to Auburn’s 38%.

Freshman Kendall Bodak and sophomore Eleanor Hays both earned their first collegiate start and alongside them, six additional players played in their first match for Clemson.

Next up, Clemson will host High Point at Historic Riggs Field for the first home match of the season on Sunday, August 18. The match is slated for 5 p.m. and will be streamed on ACCNX. The theme of the match will be centered around celebrating the 2023 College Cup as the first 500 fans will receive their own “College Cup” drinking cup.

For complete coverage of the Clemson women’s soccer team, visit ClemsonTigers.com and follow @ClemsonWSoccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Clemson Falls to Florida State in College Cup

Clemson’s great season has come to an end.

CARY, N.C. — Despite stellar play from All-American keeper Halle Mackiewicz and constant pressure from the Clemson offense, Florida State downed the Tigers, 2-0, in the first of two NCAA semifinal matches on Friday evening in Cary, N.C.

Maciewicz made five saves on the night, matching Florida State’s keeper with five. Clemson recorded 11 shots to FSU’s 12 and five corners to FSU’s six.

Clemson controlled possession for the majority of the first half, but FSU used a timely loose ball to take a 1-0 lead in the 38’. The Tigers continued to put pressure on the FSU defense, but couldn’t break through in the first 45, as Florida State took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

Florida State doubled their lead in the 53’, as ACC Player of the Year Jordynn Dudley sent one in. Clemson had chances to cut into the lead, including shots by Bornkamp, Morris and Conti, but could not get on the board.

Clemson finishes its historic season at 18-4-4 with the program’s first-ever College Cup appearance, a school-record 13 shutouts and an appearance in the ACC Championship game.

–Via Clemson Athletic Communications

Watch: Clemson fans send off women’s soccer team ahead of College Cup

The Clemson women’s soccer team is off to Cary, North Carolina, for the College Cup semifinal game against Florida State.

The Clemson community gathered at the Tigers’ soccer practice facility on Wednesday to help send off the Clemson women’s soccer team as it embarks on a trip to Cary, North Carolina, for the semifinals of the College Cup.

The Tigers (18-3-4) are set to take on the Florida State Seminoles (20-0-1) at 6 p.m. on Friday. If Clemson wins, it will advance to the national championship game for the first time in program history. That goal, however, comes with a significant challenge against the Seminoles.

Florida State defeated the Tigers in both matchups this season, including the ACC Championship game when the Seminoles won 2-1.

That said, Clemson head coach Eddie Radwanski is confident in his group to come away with a win against Florida State head coach Brian Pensky and the Seminoles.

“I don’t think that either Brian’s team or my team are going to surprise each other with an awful lot,” Radwanski said on Monday. “We know that we’ve had very good games with them, it’s been exciting to watch. It’s been competitive, and now we get another opportunity to play them in the national semifinals.”

Check out Clemson Athletic Director Graham Neff and Clemson fans giving a proper send-off for the Tigers:

Clemson advances to College Cup following 2-1 win over Penn State

Clemson women’s soccer is on a roll!

CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson women’s soccer advanced to the College Cup for the first time in its history with a 2-1 win over second-seeded Penn State (16-3-4) in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal at Historic Riggs Field. The Tigers (18-3-4) scored a pair of goals in the second half, including a screamer from Makenna Morris in the 69th minute and the game-winner from Caroline Conti in the 84th minute. Conti was set up on a beautiful feed from near midfield by Harper White.

The team joined the 2004 and 2005 Women’s Tennis teams as the only women’s programs to advance to a national semifinal in school history.

Clemson, the top seed in its bracket, takes on another top-seed, Florida State in the semifinal in Cary, N.C. on Friday. The game sets up a rematch of the ACC Championship game, which Florida State won, 2-1.

“Thank you to this incredible Clemson community crowd that came out today,” said Head Coach Eddie Radwanski, who has led his teams to ten consecutive NCAA Tournaments. “I’m so grateful for that. It gave us the energy to finish out this game. At the end of the day, you’re looking at two good teams. Penn State’s a good team. Either team is capable of beting the other, but this is a special group of Tigers here, but they find a way to be resilient to get the result. We talked about – how do we advance ‘what are you willing to do, what are you willing to take to get there to make this happen?’ and they did that. This group has earned the right to go to the College Cup. We are a resilient group – they have a never-say-die attitude. It was something they are capable of doing. Now we’ve checked that box of going to the college cup, and we’re in a role where we can play for a national championship.”

Penn State was able to find the first good scoring chance in the 11th minute, but Mackiewicz made a sliding save on a Payton Linnehan run to keep the game scoreless. Two minutes later, Bornkamp put Clemson’s first shot on goal on a 30-yard strike, but Penn State keeper Katherine Asman fielded the ball cleanly on a short hop to end the threat.

Mackiewicz was tested again in the 18th minute as Linnehan had a free look that she tried to put in the bottom left corner, but the Tiger keeper got enough of a hand on it to push it wide.

Mackiewicz was again true in the 28th minute on a shot by Kaitlyn MacBean from the left side. Two minutes later, the Tigers had a great opportunity as Renee Lyles had a clean look but saw her shot sail just wide of the right post.

Clemson had another chance with a minute to play in the first half when Hal Hershfelt stole the ball deep in Penn State territory with space, but her shot was high. With three seconds left in the half on a late counter, Penn State’s Olivia Damico got a cross right in front of goal, but her touch went wide right, sending the game to half scoreless. Clemson outshot the Nittany Lions 11-8, but Penn State put three on goal.

Lyles was on the attack again in the 55th minute as her screamer to the left side of the goal was turned away by Asman in a diving attempt. Lyles put another one net five minutes later, but again, Asman was there.

Morris gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the 69th minute as the first-team All-ACC selection sent a hard shot to the lower left part of goal. Penn State responded in the 73rd minute as MacBean settled a high clearance outside the 18-yard box and struck a low bouncing ball to the bottom left corner, just out of Mackiewicz’s reach.

“Makenna is deadly on the dribble,” said Radwanski. “I had a good intuition, and it was a great finish. To get goals from our two leaders was special. When you’re in these big games, you just have to find a way to win, and we found a way to win.”

In the 78th minute, Linnehan had a chance, but Mackiwicz came out aggressively to play the ball before she could get a foot on it. Hershfelt found space in the 82nd minute and sent a low liner to the left side, but Asman again made a diving stop, setting up a corner.

In the 84th minute, Harper White played a beautiful lead ball in from near midfield to Conti. Conti got a foot on it, and Asman made the initial save before the rebound was deflected into the net with 6:04 to play in regulation. Penn State nearly tied the game with 45 seconds to play, but MacBean’s offer to the right side struck the post.

Up next, the Tigers will take on fellow ACC member Florida State in the NCAA College Cup Semifinals in Cary, N.C. on Friday, December 1 and will be aired on ESPNU.

For complete coverage of the Clemson women’s soccer team, follow @ClemsonWSoccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

– via Clemson Athletic Communications 

Clemson advances to the Elite Eight following a PK thriller against Georgia

Clemson women’s soccer has advanced to the Elite Eight!

CLEMSON, S.C. – Megan Bornkamp netted the equalizer in the game’s 88th minute and Halle Mackiewicz recorded a clutch penalty save and No. 1 seed Clemson women’s soccer advanced past Georgia, 1-1 (5-3 PK) to earn a spot in the Elite Eight for the sixth time in school history and first time since 2020.

“I think you saw two very good teams today and this is what the NCAA Tournament is all about,” Head Coach Eddie Radwanski said. “We knew Georgia was going to be a formidable opponent and I thought we played really well today. This game is about taking chances, great response from our team with coinciding a goal so late and you just saw what the Clemson Tigers are all about. They dug down, they never gave up, reached deep inside and found a way to make it happen. I’m just impressed with our kids’ resiliency and the fact that they wanted to win, they wanted to advance and sometimes you have to do whatever it takes.”

Both teams started the match off strong as the Tigers and the Bulldogs impressed both offensively and defensively in the first half. Clemson’s back line allowed zero shots on goal for Georgia as goalkeeper Halle Mackiewicz remained tough in the box.

In the second half, Clemson and Georgia continued to battle as both teams worked hard to find the back of the net. At the ‘83, Georgia’s Croix Bethune found a scoring opportunity as she netted one in to give the Bulldogs the 1-0 advantage.

As the clock continued to run, the Tigers tried to find opportunities to score and even the score. With three minutes left in the match, Bornkamp was able to find possession of the ball as she shot the ball towards the net and the Georgia keeper stepped out to try and save it but ultimately missed the ball. Bornkamp moved around the keeper and shot the ball to the empty net and evened the score, 1-1.

Both teams had chances in each of the two overtime periods, with Georgia taking two shots in the first and Clemson two in the second. Makenna Morris nearly ended the game in the 110’, but her shot was saved by Georgia’s keeper to send the game to penalty kicks.

In penalty kicks, the teams traded makes in their first three attempts. Renee Lyles sent one past the Georgia keeper on Clemson’s fourth attempt, before Mackiewicz made the key save on Georgia’s attempt to put the Tigers up by one. Sami Meredith then sent home Clemson’s final attempt to give Clemson the 5-3 penalty win.

Up next , the Tigers will host No. 2 seed Penn State at Historic Riggs Field next Saturday, November 25, at 1:00 p.m. Tickets can be found at this link.

– Via Clemson Athletic Communications 

Clemson earns a No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament

The Clemson women’s soccer team earned a No. 1 seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament.

The Clemson women’s soccer team earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the NCAA announced during its selection show on Monday.

After coming up short in the ACC Championship game on Sunday, the Tigers will host Radford at Historic Riggs Field in the first round of the Women’s College Cup. First-round action will be played from Nov. 10 to Nov. 12, according to the NCAA’s website. The second and third rounds will be played on Nov. 17 and Nov. 19.

Clemson (15-3-3) lost to Florida State in the ACC Championship game, falling to the Seminoles 2-1 in a tight contest between two of the top teams in the country. This season marked the first time Clemson made the ACC Championship game since 2002. Florida State had previously handed the Tigers one of their only two losses in the regular season, the other coming against Notre Dame. Florida State also earned a No. 1 seed as the conference champion.

With the loss behind them, the Tigers will now look to win the national championship and will have a home-field advantage on their side.

Clemson women’s soccer advances to the ACC Championship

The Tigers are heading to the ACC Championship.

CARY, N.C. – Behind two second-half goals, seventh-ranked Clemson women’s soccer downed No. 9 Notre Dame, 3-2, in the first of two semifinal games at the 2023 Ally ACC Women’s Soccer Championship.

The win moves the Tigers into their first ACC Championship game since 2002.

“We have great respect for Notre Dame, it’s always a hard, competitive game,” Clemson head coach Eddie Radwanski said. “We just felt that the last time out, we didn’t really do a true showing of who we were and we felt we could come out tonight and show people what we are capable of doing all season and being consistent with our play and I thought the first 30 minutes of that game was spectacular.

“Whoever we end up playing in the final, it’s going to be a tough game and they are playing a game as well. This team would tell you, last year we were a very good team but we underachieved, we didn’t do what we thought we were capable of so credit to these guys and our leadership group for making the commitment of wanting to make a statement this season. They wanted to show everybody who they were and I think they have been doing that all season.”

The Tigers grabbed an early lead off of Megan Bornkamp’s third goal of the season in the 24 minute. Tatum Short sent a ball over to fellow freshman Dani Davis, who was able to perfectly place a pass right in the direct line of Bornkamp who headed it home.

Goalkeeper Halle Mackiewicz made two first-half saves to keep the Irish off the board through the game’s first 45.

Notre Dame leveled the score 10 minutes into the second half, firing a shot to the top right corner just out of reach of Mackiewicz. Just three minutes later, however, Short corralled a pass, weaved her way through two Notre Dame defenders and then deflected a shot past a diving keeper to give the Tigers the lead.

Clemson doubled its lead in the 65th, as Maria Manousos was pulled down in the box, resulting in a yellow card for Notre Dame and a penalty kick for the Tigers. Senior Caroline Conti stepped up and drilled the PK to give the Tigers the 3-1 advantage.

Notre Dame cut into the lead in the 74th minute, making the score 3-2, but a Mackiewicz save and some solid defense by the Tigers secured the semifinal win.

Up next, the Tigers will face-off against the winner of Florida State/Pitt in the 2023 Ally ACC Championship game at noon on Sunday in Cary, N.C. The matchup is set to be broadcast live on ESPNU.

-Via Clemson Athletic Communications

Tiger named ACC goalkeeper of year, nine Tigers make all-conference total

Clemson’s Halle Mackiewicz has been named the ACC Goalkeeper of the Year.

CLEMSON, S.C. – After setting the new all-time Clemson record for single-season shutouts with 13, Halle Mackiewicz has been named the ACC Goalkeeper of the Year as she becomes the first Tiger to earn the accolade. Clemson also had nine Tigers named throughout the First Team All-ACC, Third Team All-ACC and the All-Freshman Team, the conference announced on Wednesday.

Voting for the awards was conducted by the league’s 14 head coaches.

Goalkeeper of the Year, Halle Mackiewicz

As she wraps up an incredible senior season on the pitch, Mackiewicz has made history in her career at Clemson. In the 2023 season alone, Mackiewicz has recorded 13 total clean sheets, to set the new Clemson all-time record for single-season shutouts. The keeper has tallied up 44 saves this season and has started all 19 matches for the Tigers.

Mackiewicz becomes the first Clemson Tiger to be named Goalkeeper of the Year and the second keeper in ACC history to receive the honor as the conference created the award just before the 2022 season.

First Team All-ACC

Graduate midfielder Hal Hershfelt has earned her fifth consecutive conference honor as she has been named to the First Team All-ACC. Hershfelt has been named to the Second Team (‘21,’22), Third Team (2020-21) and the All-Freshman Team (‘19) as she rounds out her career by earning a spot on the First Team for the first time in her career. In the 2023 season, Hershfelt has recorded six points with four assists and one goal.

Along with her individual honor of Goalkeeper of the Year, Mackiewicz was also named to the First Team All-ACC as she earned her first career-conference honor. Mackiewicz continues to lead the nation in shutouts with 13 and has a current goals-against average of .485 as she leads the ACC and is ranked 16th in the nation. The senior has a current save percentage of .830 and has recorded 128 saves in her career. The Tigers keeper also earned her first Defensive Player of the Week honor after recording a shutout against highly ranked Arkansas, earlier in the season.

Makenna Morris has been named to the First Team All-ACC after her incredible senior season for the Tigers. The defender has led the team in points and goals for majority of the season as Morris has tallied a career-high of 22 points and has netted eight goals for the Tigers. Morris leads the ACC in game-winning goals with four, which ties her for 27th in the nation. The defender also picked up two Defensive Player of the Week honors for her outstanding performances this season.

Third Team All-ACC

Senior Megan Bornkamp earns her fifth consecutive conference honor as she has been named to the Third Team All-ACC for the second time in her career. Bornkamp has been listed on the Second Team (‘22), First Team (‘21), Third Team and All-Freshman Team (2020-21). In the 2023 season, Bornkamp has a total of 10 points as she has netted two goals and is credited with six assists.

Graduate forward Caroline Conti earned her second conference honor as she has been voted to the Third Team All-ACC for the second time in her career. Conti is ranked fourth on the team in points (13) as she has recorded five goals and three assists in the 2023 campaign. Conti reached a career milestone of 90 games played for the Tigers as she has recorded 24 goals and 19 assists in her Clemson career.

For the first time in her career, Harper White earns a conference honor as she has been named to the Third Team All-ACC. White has tallied two assists this season and is a key component of the Tigers starting back-line. Alongside Conti, White also reached a career milestone of 90 games played as she is close to completing her fifth and final season for Clemson.

All-Freshman Team

For the 2023 ACC All-Freshman Team, three Tigers earned their place as Dani Davis, Tatum Short and Jenna Tobia all received their first conference honor in their first season on the pitch.

Davis has started all 19 games for the Tigers and is another key member of the Tigers starting back-line. In her freshman season, Davis has recorded eight total points as she has tallied six assists and has netted one goal for the Tigers. Short and Tobia have started 18 out of 19 games for the Tigers as the two newcomers have made a huge impact for Clemson.

Tobia is ranked second on the team in points as the freshman has tallied 16 total points in her first season with the Tigers. The forward leads the group in assists with eight, ranking her 32nd in the nation and has netted four goals in the 2023 campaign. In her first season for Clemson, Short has also impressed as she has recorded three assists and two goals for the Tigers, earning her seven points in her freshman campaign.

The freshman trio were also named to the Top Drawer Soccer’s Top 100 Freshman to Watch as all three Tigers were ranked in the Top-25; Clemson was the only institution to have three athletes represented within the Top-25.

The Clemson Tigers had nine total athletes represented across the First, Third and All-Freshman Team and had their first individual award winner in Mackiewicz since 2018.

Up next, the Tigers will head to Cary, N.C. to compete in the semifinal round of the ACC Championships. No. 3 seeded Clemson will take on No. 2 seed Notre Dame on Thursday, November 2nd as they will look to secure their place in the ACC Title Match. Kick-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. and the match will be broadcasted on the ACC Network.

-Via Clemson Athletic Communications