Clemson Women’s Lacrosse Stuns No. 11 Notre Dame with a 12-11 Victory

Clemson huddles after a score vs. the Stetson Hatters. (Photo By: Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

The No. 17 Clemson Women’s Lacrosse team achieved a significant win by defeating the No. 11 Notre Dame team 12-11 in a thrilling match. This victory marks the first-ever win against the Irish in the program's history, showcasing the team's growth and determination. The road match tested their skill and resilience, proving their ability to perform under pressure. With this win, Clemson improves to 4-0 (1-0 ACC), demonstrating their strong start and potential in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Their performance against Notre Dame positions them as a serious contender in women's lacrosse, capturing the attention of other teams, fans, and analysts alike. This victory will be remembered as a pivotal moment for Clemson Women’s Lacrosse, proving they are for real and ready to challenge the best teams in the nation. Below is a breakdown of the scoring, and key stats from the match.

First Quarter: Clemson Women's Lacrosse Starts Fast

The Tigers wasted no time setting the tone, jumping out to a 3-0 lead before Notre Dame found the net.

• 12:40 – Natalie Shurtleff struck first to put Clemson on the board.

• 11:53 – Lindsey Marshall followed up to make it 2-0.

• 8:04 – Katie Castiello buried her fourth goal of the season, extending the lead to 3-0.

Notre Dame answers back and cuts the lead.

• 7:12 – Madison Rassas got the Irish on the board.

• 0:27 – Angie Conley closed the gap to 3-2 heading into the second.

  
  

Second Quarter: Clemson Holds the Edge

The Tigers outscored Notre Dame 4-3 in the second quarter to keep control.

• 14:27 – Katie Castiello struck again with a free position goal.

• 11:58 – Regan Byrne converted another free position shot.

• 9:24 – Bridget Babcock extended the lead.

• 2:28 – Kayla MacLeod scored unassisted, putting Clemson up 7-5 at halftime.

Notre Dame stayed in the fight with goals from Kathryn Morrissey, Emma Murphy, and Kate Timarky, but Clemson held onto the lead.

Third Quarter: Notre Dame Fights Back

Notre Dame came out strong, scoring three straight goals to take an 8-7 lead, but Clemson would respond late in the quarter.

• 4:15 – Kayla MacLeod tied it up at 8-8 with her 16th goal of the season.

• 3:33 – Madison Rassas put Notre Dame back ahead, 9-8.

• 2:45 – Regan Byrne stepped up again, tying the game at 9-9.

  
  

Fourth Quarter: Shurtleff Seals the Win

Clemson’s stars stepped up when it mattered most.

• 10:11 – Lindsey Marshall scored a free position goal, tying it at 10-10.

• 6:52 – Natalie Shurtleff delivered another clutch goal, putting Clemson ahead 11-10.

• 3:58 – Notre Dame’s Kristen Shanahan tied it 11-11.

• 1:04 – Shurtleff came through again, scoring the game-winner and securing the 12-11 victory.

Clemson’s defense held strong in the final minutes, with goalie Emily Lamparter making 10 critical saves on the night to lock down the win.

Key Performers

Clemson

• Natalie Shurtleff – 3 goals, including the game-winner.

• Kayla MacLeod, Lindsey Marshall, Regan Byrne, Katie Castiello – 2 goals each.

• Bridget Babcock – 1 goal.

• Brooke Goldstein – 2 assists.

• Emily Lamparter – 10 saves.

Notre Dame

• Madison Rassas, Kate Timarky – 3 goals each.

• Kristen Shanahan – 2 goals.

Game Stats

Shots: Clemson 30 | Notre Dame 31

Ground Balls: Clemson 14 | Notre Dame 14

Draw Controls: Notre Dame 16 | Clemson 8

Turnovers: Clemson 10 | Notre Dame 15

What’s Next?

This significant victory matches Clemson’s highest-ranked win in the program's history and maintains their perfect season. The Tigers now turn their attention to another top competitor, facing No. 3 Syracuse on March 1 at 12 p.m.