Syracuse Women’s Soccer’s Offense Struggles in Loss to Clemson

By Jake Bowen | @Jake_Bowen12

Clemson, SC | Syracuse women’s soccer’s (3-4-2, 0-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) offense struggled in its 2-0 loss to Clemson (5-2-2, 1-1 ACC) on Thursday. The Orange recorded just five shots compared to the Tigers’ 21.

Syracuse’s attack was blanked in the first half. The Orange were outshot 12-0 and 3-0 on goal. SU had trouble keeping the ball in its attacking third. 

Clemson also created more chances with five corner kicks to Syracuse’s none. The Tigers controlled the ball in their attacking half and forced the Orange’s defense to play more bunched. 

However, SU kept Clemson off the board going into the break. Orange goalkeeper Maya Naimoli tallied three saves. 

Syracuse changed its formation in the second half. The Orange added forward Ali Howard on the attack along with forward Farrah Stephens-Martin, who was at the top of the formation in the first half. Howard and Stephens-Martin pressured the Tigers early in the second frame.

Little changed for the ‘Cuse though in the final 45 minutes. Clemson continued to apply pressure and finally pushed through. Tigers forward Taylor Leib gave Clemson the lead in the 67th minute with her third goal of the season. The score was assisted by Tigers forward Alessandra Washington. 

Clemson tacked on with another score to seal the deal. Tigers midfielder Anna Castenfelt made it a 2-0 lead in the 88th minute. It was the junior’s fourth goal of the season. Last year, Castenfelt scored the game-winning goal against SU with six seconds remaining. 

Despite the Tigers’ two second half goals, the Orange’s offense had some production. After failing to record a shot and corner in the first 45 minutes, Syracuse tallied five shots and two corners in the second frame. Nevertheless, the ‘Cuse was outshot 9-5 and 4-2 on the corner kick in the remaining 45 minutes.

In the loss, Naimoli showed out. The redshirt junior made three saves in the second half for a season-high total of six on the night.

Syracuse returns home to battle Virginia Tech (5-1-3, 1-0 ACC) on Sunday. The Hokies have taken eight of the last nine matches against the Orange. Syracuse hasn’t won against Virginia Tech since 2003. In its last duel in 2024, VT prevailed 1-0 over SU. First touch is at noon. 

For coverage of that game and the rest of the Syracuse Women’s Soccer season, follow @Jake_Bowen12 and @CitrusTVSports on X.