From Different Beginnings To The Same Goal

Written by: Henry Carter and Ryan Sauline

Orange: The Experience Magazine | V17 , Issue 3

The Clemson Women’s Lacrosse Program continues to build momentum in year four, and freshmen Emma Penczek and Alexa Spallina have quickly emerged as two new additions to the driving forces behind that rise. From different paths to Tigertown, to instant chemistry on and off the field, the duo has helped Clemson take another step forward while setting the foundation for the young program’s future.

Spallina’s journey to Clemson was not a straightforward one. As Inside Lacrosse’s No. 1-ranked recruit, she originally committed elsewhere before ultimately deciding Clemson was where she wanted to build her own legacy.

I was previously committed to Syracuse. When I first decided on Syracuse, it was the attraction of getting to play alongside my brothers and wearing the same number as my brother Joey,” Spallina said. “Hearing that I could create history with my brothers was something that was super hard to turn down.”

However, after taking time to evaluate her options and Clemson’s vision for the program, she realized a different opportunity awaited her.

“Once I saw exactly what Clemson was doing, and I finally got time to really consider it, I realized my original decision was rushed,” Spallina said. “When I got the time to decide what I really wanted, I realized that I really just wanted to be at Clemson and make history here, and that’s still our goal.”

Spallina’s commitment cemented her as Clemson Athletics’ second No. 1-ranked recruit all-time, joining Trevor Lawrence. That decision has already paid off for both Spallina and the Tigers. Through 14 games of the season, the freshman attacker has been one of Clemson’s most productive offensive players.

Spallina’s 30 goals, at the time of this writing, are tied for the team’s most on the season, and her 82 points are 40 more than the next rostered athlete. In just the second game of the season against Furman (Feb. 10), she set a Clemson single-game record of ten points. Two games later, she then dished out seven assists against Queens (Feb. 17) to secure another single-game school record. Spallina went on to shatter both feats against Davidson (March 31), where her ten assists contributed to 13 points.

Despite entering college with significant expectations, Spallina focused on helping Clemson grow rather than individual accolades.

“I don’t really know if it was much of the expectations. I knew a lot of people knew who I was, and our goal was to make sure people knew Clemson Women’s Lacrosse. We wanted to make an impact right away,” she said.

While Spallina’s lacrosse roots stem from a family deeply involved in the sport, Emma Penczek’s story is very different. Her introduction to the game came in a simple moment that sparked her long-term passion.

“It started in kindergarten during gym class. We were playing with the little plastic sticks and I immediately fell in love with it,” Penczek said. “I’m the only lacrosse player in my family, so I didn’t pick it up from someone. It was just something that was fun.” That love for the game quickly developed into a desire to play at the next level.

“I think maybe fifth or sixth grade was when I realized college lacrosse was what I wanted. I was playing with girls who loved it as much as I did, and I knew I wanted to keep going and growing with the sport,” she said.

Penczek, who came in as the No. 2 nationally ranked player behind Spallina, has made an immediate impact as well, contributing across multiple areas of the field. In 14 games, she has totaled 21 goals and 13 assists for 34 points. Beyond scoring, her versatility as a midfielder has been crucial. Penczek has picked up 33 ground balls and caused 27 turnovers, both of which are the second-most on the team. She also contributed with 15 draw controls. Her ability to impact both ends of the field has helped Clemson maintain balance and tempo.

Although their journeys differed, the two players were familiar with each other before arriving at Clemson. That familiarity turned into a strong bond almost immediately.

“We knew instantly we were going to be best friends when we stepped on campus,” Penczek said.

“The connection doesn’t stop on the field — it’s off the field too, and that’s why it carries over,” she added.

That chemistry has helped both players adjust to the speed and physicality of ACC competition. The transition to college lacrosse can be difficult, but they say their partnership has made it smoother.

“There are definitely times where I just want my family, especially when pressure’s on, and my parents aren’t in the stands,” Spallina said. “But being able to handle it by having Emma beside me is really helpful.”

Even as freshmen, both players have embraced leadership roles within the team. Their communication, energy and confidence have allowed them to contribute beyond their individual statistics.

“Pressure is a privilege,” Penczek said. “We just want to enjoy it and recognize how special this opportunity is.”

That mindset has shaped their approach to the season. Rather than focusing solely on long-term results, both players emphasize improvement day by day.

“We emphasize getting better each day. You don’t get to the next step without the one before it,” Penczek said.

Still, their ambitions remain high. In just the fourth season of Clemson Lacrosse, Spallina believes the Tigers are already built to compete for championships.

“We shoot for the stars. We want to make it to a Final Four for sure. Championship weekend is always the goal,” Spallina said.

As Clemson continues to build toward national contention, the impact of Penczek and Spallina continues to grow. From different beginnings to a shared vision, Penczek and Spallina have quickly become central figures in Clemson’s rise. Their chemistry, production, and leadership have already shaped the present — and their goals suggest the best is still ahead for Clemson Women’s Lacrosse.