No. 17 Clemson Tigers Women's Lacrosse Opens ACC Play Against No. 11 Notre Dame

Clemson Tigers Women's Lacrosse is off to a fantastic start. (Photo By: Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

The No. 17 Clemson Tigers Women's Lacrosse team kicks off ACC conference play this Saturday with a trip to South Bend, Indiana, to take on the No. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at 8 p.m. in the Loftus Sports Center.

Tigers’ Offense is on Fire

Clemson has dominated offensively to start the season, netting 60 goals in just three games, with 26 of those coming in their last matchup. Starting 3-0, the Tigers boast the nation’s second-ranked scoring offense and lead the ACC in goals scored (60), ground balls (70), and draw controls (63).

In their 26-6 victory over Stetson, Clemson set a program record for shots, shots on goal, goals, and points. Sophomore attacker Kayla MacLeod led the charge with a career-high six goals, tying for the second-most goals in a single gamein program history. Lexi Edmonds also contributed four goals, while 11 different Tigers found the back of the net, showcasing the team’s depth and offensive firepower.

Dominant Defense Complements Explosive Offense

While Clemson’s offense has been electric, the defense has been just as impressive, allowing only 24 goals in three games. The Tigers also lead the nation in draw controls per game (21), thanks in large part to freshman midfielder Kira Balis, who recorded a program-record 18 draw controls against Stetson in just her third collegiate game.

On the defensive end, senior defender Summer Agostino brings veteran leadership, leading the team with 10 caused turnovers and eight ground balls. With both the offense and defense firing on all cylinders, this ACC opener presents an opportunity for Clemson to solidify itself as a conference contender.

Can Clemson Secure a Winning ACC Season?

The Tigers are still seeking their first winning ACC season. In their inaugural 2023 campaign, they finished 12-6 (4-6 ACC), followed by an 11-7 (3-7 ACC) record in 2024. However, they did make history last year by earning their first ACC Tournament win in the first round against Pittsburgh.

So far, Clemson has notched wins against Davidson, Vanderbilt, and Stetson, but the real test begins now. The ACC is one of the toughest conferences in lacrosse, with six teams currently ranked in the Top 25.

This weekend, Notre Dame poses the biggest challenge yet. The 2-1 Fighting Irish have bounced back from an opening loss to Northwestern, securing wins over Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan.

Freshman standout Madison Rassas has been a key contributor, recording 10 goals and 13 assists in just the last two games. Beyond her scoring ability, she has also made an impact with three ground balls, six draw controls, and three caused turnovers. Slowing her down will be crucial for Clemson to control the game.

Can the Clemson Tigers Women's Lacrosse Secure Their First Win Over Notre Dame?

History favors the Irish, as Notre Dame has won all three previous matchups against Clemson. The most recent meeting came in last year’s ACC Quarterfinals, where a dominant seven-goal second period propelled the Irish to a 14-12 victory. Their 2023 regular-season clash was another thriller, going into double overtime, but even a five-goal performance from MacLeod wasn’t enough to push Clemson to victory.

A win over Notre Dame would be a statement victory, proving Clemson is a force in the ACC and building momentum for the rest of conference play. Expect a highly competitive battle as the Tigers look to make history in South Bend.