Panthers Claim Dramatic Win in Inaugural Game

Friday, February 11

Pittsburgh, PA

5:00 PM

Pitt

1-0

Duquesne

0-1

Duquesne

Pitt

Panthers Claim Dramatic Win in Inaugural Game

2/11/2022 9:55:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

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PITTSBURGH, PA – The Pitt women's lacrosse team captured a 9-8 overtime win over Duquesne in the inaugural game in program history Friday evening at Highmark Stadium. Kierin Ratliff-Kailbourne anchored the Panther offense with four goals, while Carlie Leach netted a pair of goals including the game-winner at the 1:58 mark in overtime.

"We have talked all year about the fact that we were going to face adversity and emotion was going to be a big part of it," said head coach Emily Boissonneault. "I am really happy our girls were able to stay focused and take one moment at a time."

Duquesne struck first in the contest on a goal by Tina St. Clair at the 10:42 mark in the first quarter. Ratliff-Kailbourne beat the goalie low side off a free position attempt to register the first goal in program history with 3:44 left in the quarter.

The second quarter began with the Dukes leading 2-1 and Duquesne quickly added another to make the score 3-1. Ratliff-Kailbourne responded with her second goal off an assist from four-time All-America selection Paige Petty with 5:48 left in the half.

The Dukes extended a 3-2 halftime lead with a goal early in the third quarter before Pitt countered with unassisted goals from Leach (10:39) and Kate Elam (5:16). Duquesne regained the lead with a man-up goal from Alana Piano before Ratliff-Kailbourne completed a hat trick and knotted the game 5-5 off an assist from Dylana Williams with just three seconds remaining in the quarter.

The Dukes once again regained the lead on a Sam King goal with 14 minutes remaining. The Panthers countered with a goal from Chloe Jones (13:21) and Ratliff-Kailnourne's fourth goal at the 8:57 mark. Madisyn Kittell assisted on the goal to give Pitt its first lead of the game.

The back-and-forth affair continued and Duquesne grabbed momentum with back-to-back goals to grab an 8-7 lead with just over five minutes remaining.

Petty answered back with her first goal as a Panther with 2:08 remaining to push the game to an 8-8 tie at the end of regulation.

Shortly into the sudden-victory overtime, Leach scored her second goal of the evening to complete the comeback and send Pitt home victorious with a 9-8 win in the first game in program history.

"It didn't hit me until I was at the field," said Boissonneault. "I sat across the field by myself. Reading my pregame speech and just making sure I was ready. I think that's when it really hit me what was happening. I read it over and over again, I cried about every other sentence, every other time I read it."

Pitt delivered a solid defensive effort throughout as Abby Thorne collected three caused turnovers, while Therese Pitman and Payton Reed each forced two turnovers. Goalie Paulina DiFatta collected seven saves in the win.

Pitt returns to action back at Highmark Stadium Friday, Feb. 18 at 5:00 p.m. against Siena.