University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
2-5
Liberty
2-4
Fenech Grabs Draw Control Record for Second-Straight Game; Panthers Fall in Midweek Contest to Liberty
3/6/2024 7:22:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
LYNCHBURG, VA – Jill Fenech set a new draw controls standard Wednesday, something she has now done in back to back games, but it was not enough as Pitt fell to Liberty 20-17. Fenech secured 12 draw controls this time out to break her previous record, after recording nine last game.
It was another slow start that plagued the Panthers against the Flames. Liberty scored the first six goals of the contest before Pitt closed the opening quarter with two of their own to shrink the lead to four. Ava Washington got things started with a goal in her 17th game in a row and Emily Coughlin netted her first of the afternoon.
Pitt held their own offensively in the second period, with six goals scored. Coughlin scored a second and five other Panthers contributed one: Jenna Hendrickson, Avery Moon, Kaitlyn Giandonato, Sydney Naylor and Madigan Lublin. Even with the six goals and the 10-4 advantage in draw controls for the quarter, Liberty was still able to maintain momentum thanks to seven goals of their own.
The Panthers came out strong and played fast to begin the second half, dominating possession in the first seven minutes. However, they could not take advantage and both teams were scoreless until a Liberty goal with just over eight to play in the third. The Flames netted five in the quarter, but the Panthers remained within striking distance after one goal from Hendrickson, two from Coughlin and another from Naylor.
The momentum did shift in the final period of play as Pitt outscored Liberty 5-2 and grabbed more draw controls and ground balls than the Flames. The five goals once again were scored by five different Panthers in the period: Naylor, Camdyn O'Donnell, Maureen McNierney, Hendrickson and defender Rachel Familetti. Pitt battled and fought to the final whistle to try to close the gap, but time expired with the final Liberty lead at three.
Coughlin's four scores set a new career high mark for the senior, while Hendrickson and Naylor each recorded their fourth game with three goals or more. Coughlin put in a complete performance also securing five draw controls, three ground balls and causing two turnovers. Audrey Moran and Molly Cain both saw action in the cage and totaled six saves on the night together.
The Panthers will look to build on the momentum they build in the last three quarters of play Wednesday, as Pitt continues their road trip with an ACC matchup against Duke on Saturday.
