University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
1-3, 0-1ACC
Boston College
5-0, 1-0ACC
Panthers Lose ACC Opener to Top-Ranked Eagles
2/24/2024 2:32:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
PITTSBURGH, PA – The number one team in the nation proved to be too much for Pitt Lacrosse Saturday, as the Panthers fell in the first ACC game of the season 19-3 at Highmark Stadium.
The opening quarter was a promising one, especially when Pitt followed up a Boston College goal in the first two minutes with one of their own at the 9:45 mark. The Panthers ran their offense to perfection and junior Jenna Hendrickson found Sydney Naylor on a cut who finished with authority to know the game at one. The score after fifteen minutes would not show the fight with a score of 6-1, but Pitt had offensive opportunities that they were unable to finish. BC outshot Pitt only by one to open the action (9-8).
In the second period, Pitt's defense played Boston College tough but had a hard time turning potential turnovers into ground ball pickups and in turn possession for the Panthers. Junior Ava Washington scored her fifth goal of the season on one of her patented drives to the net, but the Eagles took a 10-2 lead into the locker room at the break. BC's Rachel Clark and Emma LoPinto scored first half hat tricks to set the tone for the Eagle offense.
The final 30 minutes looked similar to the first 30, with Pitt pushing and getting chances but not converting to close the deficit down. The Panthers grabbed more draw controls than the Eagles in the second half (6-5), but only had three shots on goal. Senior Emily Coughlin scored the only goal of the second half for the blue and gold, while Kayla Martello racked up a hat trick in the last two quarters and seven other Eagles scored too.
In the net, BC goalie Shea Dolce made seven saves for the win and Pitt goalies Audrey Moran and Molly Cain combined for nine saves in the loss.
The Panthers return quickly to Highmark Stadium for their next game, as they face Head Coach Emily Boissonneault's alma mater, Detroit Mercy, in the non-conference matchup. Opening draw is scheduled for 12 PM.
Boissonneault starred in her four-year college career at Detroit Mercy, finishing with 242 goals, 193 ground balls, 157 caused turnovers and 143 draw controls. Her name is etched in the NCAA lacrosse record books as she ranks in the top 40 in career caused turnovers, caused turnovers per game and career goals. She was named Attacker of the Year for the National Lacrosse Conference in 2009 and Horizon League Woman of the Year in 2012. Boissonneault was inducted into the Detroit Mercy Athletics Hall of Fame in November of 2019.
