University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Notre Dame
Panthers Fall to No. 6 Fighting Irish
3/30/2024 3:13:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
SOUTH BEND, IN – The sixth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish showed why they sit in the top ten of the national polls as Pitt was unable to keep up in a lopsided 26-5 loss from Arlotta Stadium in South Bend.
The first quarter of Saturday's action was back and forth and it seemed like the Panthers were going to be able to keep close in the ACC battle. Notre Dame scored the first two goals in the game, but the Panthers fought back and evened the score just over two minutes later. Those two scores came from freshman Kaitlyn Giandonato and junior Sydney Naylor. The Fighting Irish went on a four-goal run in the next six minutes, but once again Pitt pushed back and two of the final three in the opening frame to keep the score close at 7-4. Senior Maureen McNierney and junior Jenna Hendrickson scored their first goals in the game to the blue and gold attack.
Unfortunately for Pitt, the remaining 45 minutes were all Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish outscored the Panthers 8-0 in the second quarter and 11-1 in the second half. Naylor's second goal of the contest was the only one after the first quarter that Pitt was able to convert.
Notre Dame's win came off of a 48-16 shot advantage and a 26-7 win on the draw circle. Pitt goalie Audrey Moran made 10 saves on the day, for the fifth time in 2024, to try to slow down the Irish attack. Abby Thorne and McNierney had three and two caused turnovers respectively.
Pitt will need to flush and forget the game as the Panthers host Central Michigan in just three days at Highmark Stadium. The non-conference game is scheduled for a 3 PM start on April 2. For all things Pitt Lacrosse, follow the Panthers on Instagram and X: @Pitt_WLAX.
