Clemson stuns Syracuse 2-1 with 90th-minute game-winner
Syracuse scored first in its 2-1 loss to Clemson, but Anna Castenfelt's free-kick goal sealed the Tigers' stunning win. Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer
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With seven seconds left, Anna Castenfelt stepped up to take a free kick for Clemson.
Castenfelt curled her shot around Syracuse’s defensive wall, and the ball bounced over the Orange goalkeeper Shea Vanderbosch’s outstretched arms for the game-winner.
SU assistant coach Brandon DeNoyer angrily slammed the bench after Clemson’s goal, while head coach Nicky Thrasher Adams kicked a ball away in frustration before collecting herself.
Syracuse (4-6-4, 0-5-1 Atlantic Coast) was stunned by Castenfelt’s game-winner for Clemson (4-4-5, 1-3-2 Atlantic Coast) in a 2-1 loss. The last-second goal marked the Orange’s fifth straight loss, keeping them winless in ACC play dating back to 2022.
“Our whole game plan was get the ball behind them, because that’s where they were weakest, and every time we did it, we were powerful,” Adams said. “We needed to do a better job of winning that middle transition game.”
Castenfelt’s free kick was set up by a foul on Syracuse’s Anna Rupert in front of SU’s penalty area. Rupert fouled Castenfelt with 16 seconds left, but the clock continued to tick as the Orange set up their defensive wall.
The clock finally stopped after Syracuse was called for a delay of game penalty, allowing the Tigers to set up their formation and giving Castenfelt extra time to prepare for the kick.
Once Castenfelt scored, Adams was given a yellow card for protesting the clock stoppage, but there was no time for the Orange to counter.
“It’s just frustrating. You’d never want a referee to determine the outcome of a game,” Adams said. “Our girls work so freaking hard, and then seven seconds determine the game because of a call that should have never stopped the clock. I don’t understand it.”
Leading up to Clemson’s last-second winner, the Tigers kept the pressure in the second half, maintaining possession in Syracuse’s defensive half while testing Vanderbosch in net. SU’s goalkeeper ended with a season-high 11 saves, the third time she’s made 10-plus saves this season.
Adams was also upset with the refereeing in the entire second half, saying the Orange should’ve earned a point from the game “for sure.”
“It’s a shame that we were playing against 12 the entire second half with the referee. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Adams said.
Syracuse had a nightmare start to the game when Vanderbosch’s save rolled back into danger. Clemson’s Juju Harris pounced on the rebound, but in front of an open net, Harris missed from point-blank range as the ball sailed over the crossbar.
The Orange quickly bounced back when Vanderbosch took the top off Clemson’s defense with a long pass to Mia Klammer, who dribbled past Tigers goalkeeper Addy Holgorsen and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Minutes later, Vanderbosch made a flying save to preserve Syracuse’s 1-0 lead but couldn’t contain Clemson’s Emily Brough, who delivered a powerful equalizer from outside the box.
Clemson pushed for a second goal, forcing Vanderbosch to make another two saves. Syracuse’s defense continued to hold firm, but it finally caved in the 15th minute when a Bree Bridges handball gave the Tigers a free kick. Harris sent Vanderbosch the wrong way, but the shot missed wide right.
The two teams traded possession until late in the first half when Klammer found space on the left wing. Racing past Clemson defender Neely Kerr, Klammer passed to a wide-open Kendyl Lauher, who missed wide over the crossbar.
Clemson had one final chance before halftime, but Vanderbosch deflected Maria Manousos’ shot off the post to keep the teams tied heading into the second half.
The second half didn’t offer the same quality of chances as the first for either team, but both had opportunities to score. Clemson threatened on multiple corners yet couldn’t find a target in the box, while Syracuse struggled to capitalize on an Ashley Rauch free kick.
Clemson again hit the post before Syracuse also hit the woodwork on Julia Arbelaez’s shot, with Mia McDermott unable to score off the rebound. After Arbelaez’s try, Clemson forced Rupert’s foul and Castenfelt’s winner.
“The clock was stopped, so very upset with that, but we shouldn’t have fouled them in the first place. We’ve got to manage the game better,” Adams said.
