Pitt
2-7
Virginia
8-1
Career High Five Goals for Naylor Not Enough As Virginia Tops Pitt
3/16/2024 4:45:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Another game, another career performance for a Panther junior attacker. This time, it was Sydney Naylor's turn to show out as she scored five goals in the loss, besting her previous career high of three. However it was not enough as No. 10 Virginia put together a complete offensive performance to take the 191-10 win at Klockner Stadium.
A slow start hurt Pitt again in Saturday's ACC matchup, when Virginia came out of the gates with the opening three goals. Naylor and Ava Washington scored the first two for the Panthers to keep the game close early (4-2 UVA). Unfortunately, the Cavaliers went on another 3-0 scoring run to close the first quarter with a five-goal advantage.
Pitt was able to score two more in the second with Emily Coughlin and Jenna Hendrckson each netting one, but turnovers and missed opportunities on offense led to Virginia conversions and goals. The two teams entered the halftime break with the Cavaliers leading 11-4.
Virginia put up another seven goals in the third quarter that ultimately put their lead out of reach for Pitt. The only bright spot of the period was a Naylor hat trick to bring her total to the game to four, which was already a career best for the attacker from Damascus, Maryland.
The fourth quarter of play proved to be the best for Pitt, who outscored Virginia 3-1 in the final frame. Hendrickson got her second, Naylor put her fifth in the goal and freshman Avery Moon finished off her first of the day for the Panther attack, but it was too late to overcome the deficit.
Goalie Audrey Moran recorded her fourth game of the season and 10th of her career with at least 10 saves. The Panthers fought hard on the draw circle and grabbed 15 to the Cavaliers' 17. Maureen McNierney picked up five draw controls, the most in her career, and Maggie Long also secured five only for the second time in a Pitt uniform. Defender Megan Sheridan battled for the Panthers defensively, causing three turnovers and getting four ground balls, both career numbers for the freshman.
Next, Pitt takes a break from conference play, as they head to Kent State for a midweek contest in Ohio on Tuesday.
