Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our sports newsletter here.

Clemson defender Harper White delivered a cross-field pass to the left flank. She found Jenna Tobia who received and dribbled toward goal and shot.

Syracuse’s Kate Murphy blocked the effort but Emily Brough retrieved possession with Grace Gillard in close pursuit. Brough’s mazy dribbling freed up enough space to play a ball through Murphy’s feet to Caroline Conti. Turning her body to face the goal, Conti flipped a quick shot which found the bottom left corner of the net for Clemson’s fourth score.

In depleting and helpless fashion, Syracuse (2-9-1, 0-4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) remained winless in conference play following a 5-1 defeat at No. 8 Clemson (9-1-2, 3-1-0 ACC). The Tigers outshot the Orange 29-2 and recorded 11 corner kicks. The loss marks Syracuse’s fourth straight. SU hasn’t won a game since Aug. 27.

Clemson opened the scoring in the second minute. Makenna Morris ran down the right wing after latching onto a high-arcing pass from the Tiger backline. Bearing down on goal, Morris sent in a cross which found Tatum Short to make it 1-0.

A little over 10 minutes later, Clemson missed on a prime opportunity to double its lead as Short almost returned the favor to Morris. Sending a low-driven ball into the box, Short picked out Morris who fired toward net. But, SU goalkeeper Shea Vanderbosch dived left to make a routine save.

Eventually, the Tigers’ constant pressure and continued, threatening presence in Syracuse’s defensive zone gave way to a second goal. At the 35 minute mark, Dani Davis delivered a searching ball off a corner kick. Gillard failed to clear the danger and Brough tapped one in past Vanderbosch, giving Clemson a 2-0 lead.

Two minutes before halftime, Syracuse registered its first shot of the game. Midfielder Ashley Rauch won back possession in midfield and found Anna Rupert a few paces ahead. Rupert then relayed the ball to Erin Flurey who was immediately swarmed by the Tigers’ defense. Sandwiched between a couple of opponents, Flurey took on an ambitious 35-yard strike but managed to pick out the upper left corner of the net, halving Clemson’s advantage.

Yet, trailing by one goal was the closest Syracuse came. It continued to play passively and conceded its third in the 54th minute. Clemson midfielder Hal Hershfelt fed Morris near the edge of the box. Morris pushed forward, winning a 1-on-1 battle against Alyssa Abramson, before slotting a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner.

Though comfortably in front, the Tigers continued to keep possession, frustrating the opposing Orange. The fourth and fifth goals came in quick succession, just four minutes apart from one another. Following Conti’s score to generate a three-goal Clemson cushion, Tobia found the top right corner of the net to clinch a 5-1 victory. Syracuse’s backline was left devastated and dumbfounded.

Published on September 30, 2023 at 11:23 pm