Pitt
2-4 (0-2)
Louisville
2-4 (1-1)
Fenech Records Program-Record Nine Draw Controls; Panthers Drop ACC Game to Louisville
3/2/2024 5:50:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
PITTSBURGH – The Panthers once again succumbed to a slow start in Saturday's ACC contest with the Louisville Cardinals, before falling 19-11 at Highmark Stadium.
Louisville began the matinee matchup quickly with three goals in under seven minutes to take the lead and the early momentum. The Panthers had chances but missed opportunities with turnovers in the offensive end. Avery Moon and Ava Washington converted first quarter goals to keep the lead to only two after fifteen minutes.
In the second period of play, Pitt was able to score five goals thanks to two from Camdyn O'Donnell and one each from Sydney Naylor, Jenna Hendrickson and Washington. However the Louisville lead grew by three as the Panther defense couldn't slow down their attack. The free position opportunities and conversions made a huge difference as the Cardinals finished five for five from the arc in the first half.
Still, Pitt went into the locker room feeling like they were in the game, especially after flipping the draw control game and taking that lead into halftime 12-9. That advantage in the circle was not enough to propel the Panthers to victory however as Louisville outscored Pitt 7-4 in the second half. O'Donnell and Washington finished off their hat tricks and Hendrickson and Naylor each added another, but once again opportunities to close the gap were missed. Draw controls were a positive from the day, with Pitt finishing with 18 to Louisville's 14.
Junior Jill Fenech set a program record with nine draw controls on the day, both from the draw taker and draw circle spots. Hendrickson set a new career high with three assists and Washington increased her scoring streak to 16 games. Goalies Audrey Moran and Molly Cain combined for eight saves between the pipes.
Saturday's game closed out a three-game homestand for Pitt. Next, the Panthers will head to Lynchburg, Virginia to face Liberty Wednesday, March 6.
