Pitt
2-1 (0-0)
Penn State
2-2 (0-0)
Naylor Nets Four; Panthers Defeat Penn State 12-10
2/18/2025 2:39:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
PITTSBURGH – The Panthers used a dominant first quarter to propel themselves to a 12-10 intrastate rivalry win over Penn State Tuesday in the Pitt Sports Dome.
"Today's win was emotional," said Head Coach Emily Boissonneault following the victory. "For us, this win was about the progression the team has been making. To win this game early in the season, when we know that we still have adjustments to make, is really promising for the rest of the year. This win means a lot to the graduating class, the group that has helped us build the program. As coaches, we really want to help them reach their potential, and today was a step in that direction."
Penn State started the scoring Tuesday morning with a goal less than three minutes in from Erika Ho. Following the opener, Pitt went on a 11-0 scoring run to put a stranglehold on the game and take the 11-1 lead. Freshman Paige Kawa saw the most playing time she has had through three games and took advantage, opening the Panther barrage with the first goal of her young career. Seniors Jenna Hendrickson and Sydney Naylor both contributed hat tricks during the run, while sophomore Avery Moon added two and Jill Fenech and Emily Coughlin each contributed one goal a piece. The offense in the first and second quarters saw the Panthers sharing and moving the ball faster than the Nittany Lions could match. Four of the 11 goals in the span were scored from the eight meter, while five of the other seven were scored off of assists. The Nittany Lions did get the last two of the first half to bring the score to 11-3 in favor of the home team before intermission.
The second half proved to be a much more evenly contested battle, and on the scoresheet Penn State took the 7-1 advantage. However, the early pressure and scoring proved to be too much for the visitors from State College to overcome, and Pitt was able to hold on to earn the 12-10 victory in the first official game ever contested inside the Pitt Sports Dome.
The Panther defense caused 14 turnovers and goalie Molly Cain stopped four shots to assist in the defensive effort. Coughlin and Naylor each contributed two assists to pace the Panther attack and defender Natalie Voorhees once again was all over the field, grabbing six ground balls in the game. Aidan Carr and Fenech combined for nine draw controls including several pivotal possession earning plays late in the game to preserve the lead.
Pitt will look to capitalize on the momentum from Tuesday's win when they travel to Blacksburg, Virginia to visit Virginia Tech for the first ACC game of the season. Opening draw is set for 12 PM.
"We really need to limit cards and eight meters, that will be the main focus," Boissonneault said looking ahead on the schedule. "Offensively, we made a lot of adjustments, but handling the emotional side of the game is where we saw a drop-off as the action went on. Putting all of that together defensively and offensively, we can get a clean and competitive game Saturday."
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