Panthers Fall Short in First-Ever ACC Matchup

Thursday, February 24

Pittsburgh, PA

4:00 PM

Pitt

3-1, 0-1

North Carolina

4-0, 1-0

North Carolina

Pitt

Photo by: Matt Hawley/Pitt Athletics

Panthers Fall Short in First-Ever ACC Matchup

2/24/2022 7:07:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

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PITTSBURGH – Pitt goalkeeper Paulina DiFatta made 14 saves and Paige Petty extended her lengthy points streak to 67, but the Panthers (3-1; 0-1 ACC) fell short in the program's first-ever ACC game, dropping a 15-5 decision to #2 North Carolina (4-0; 1-0 ACC).

Facing one of their stiffest tests of the season, the Panthers held the Tarheels to a season-low 15 goals but struggled to control draws, with UNC coming away with a 19-5 advantage.

On top of her season-high save total, DiFatta nabbed two ground balls and caused two turnovers to anchor the Panther defense.

"I think the biggest positives are we fought harder in the second half and that's something I was not sure the team was going to do when they were losing," said Pitt coach Emily Boissonneault. "We haven't been in that situation so to be losing but continue to fight, I think we did a better job in the second half on draw controls and limiting shots, and I think that's a positive to know we have a fight to play with the best."

North Carolina jumped out to 3-1 lead in the opening quarter as Jamie Ortega scored twice and Melissa Sconone added a pair of assists. Ortega opened the scoring at the 13:19 mark before Kate Elam notched her 10th goal of the season to tie the game at 10:27. Ortega scored four minutes later and Scottie Rose Growney scored with just 2.5 second remaining to push the lead to 3-1.

The Tar Heels extended their lead to 7-1 with the first four goals of the second quarter before Carlie Leach found the back of the net on a bar-down goal with 2:52 left in the half.

North Carolina outscored the Panthers 5-1 in the third quarter with Leach scoring the lone Pitt tally.

Paige Petty and Kate Elam both scored for the Panthers in the final frame to make the score 13-5, but the Tarheels netted the game's final two goals to set the final. Petty's goal extended her points streak to 67 consecutive games.

"Our biggest focus is making sure we're better than today," said Boissoneault "We played to the speed and physicality that we need to play every game to today, so we need to bring it on Sunday."

Pitt returns to action Sunday at noon when it travels to Canisius for its first-ever road game.