DALLAS, Texas - Clemson (5-4-5) secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over SMU (8-4-2) on Thursday evening, with Tatum Short's 74th-minute winner proving the difference in a back-and-forth contest that featured five goals and multiple lead changes.
The scoring opened in the 15th minute when Tatum Short found the back of the net for Clemson, assisted by both Juju Harris and Natalie Brooks. SMU responded through Kelly Gordon in the 39th minute, with Lindsay Nicholson providing the assist. The Mustangs then took the lead early in the second half as Sammy Nieves converted from a Liz Eddy pass in the 46th minute. Elle Bissinger equalized for Clemson in the 56th minute off a Juju Harris assist, before Short's decisive strike in the 74th minute, set up by both Renee Lyles and Harris.
The first half saw Clemson establish early control, recording eight shot attempts including three on target. Anna Castenfelt tested the SMU defense with a blocked shot in the 4th minute, while Renee Lyles had two attempts sail high in the 5th and 7th minutes. The Tigers' pressure was rewarded with Short's opening goal. SMU showed resilience, with Sammy Nieves forcing a save from Clemson goalkeeper Nona Reason before Gordon's equalizer.
The second half intensified as both teams pushed for advantage. Nieves put SMU ahead shortly after the restart, but Clemson responded through tactical adjustments and increased pressure. The introduction of Jordan Thompson and Reese Klein in the 82nd minute provided fresh energy for the Tigers' attack. The decisive sequence came when Short connected with Lyles and Harris for the winning goal, demonstrating Clemson's clinical finishing in crucial moments.
Statistically, Clemson dominated the shot count, outshooting SMU 17-9 with eight on target compared to SMU's four. The Tigers also held a slight edge in corner kicks (4-3). SMU's physical play resulted in two yellow cards, shown to Lindsay Nicholson in the 42nd minute and Hali Hartman in the 56th minute. Clemson goalkeeper Nona Reason finished with two crucial saves, while her SMU counterpart recorded five stops.
Individual performances highlighted the competitive nature of the match. Tatum Short's two-goal performance proved decisive, while Juju Harris's three assists demonstrated her playmaking ability. For SMU, Kelly Gordon showed excellent positioning for her goal, while Liz Eddy created several dangerous opportunities, including two shots in the final ten minutes that tested Reason.
Tactically, Clemson's approach emphasized wide play and quick transitions, utilizing the speed of their forwards to stretch SMU's defense. The Mustangs countered with a more direct style, particularly effective during their second-half surge. Both teams made strategic substitutions, with Clemson's late-game changes proving particularly effective in maintaining their attacking momentum.
The victory extends Clemson's winning streak to two matches, building on their previous success against Syracuse. For SMU, the loss ends their unbeaten run of two games and marks their first home defeat in three matches. The Tigers' resilience in bouncing back from multiple momentum shifts demonstrates their growing confidence away from home.
Looking ahead, Clemson returns to conference play hosting Wake Forest on October 16, while SMU faces a quick turnaround with a visit to Notre Dame on October 12. The Tigers will look to maintain their winning form, while the Mustangs aim to rebound from this narrow defeat.