Pitt
2-2,0-1
Virginia Tech
4-1,1-0
Giandonato Scores Five; Panthers Drop Heartbreaker to Virginia Tech
2/22/2025 2:30:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
BLACKSBURG, VA – Leading for much of the game thanks to a career-high five goals from sophomore Kaitlyn Giandonato, Pitt fell late to Virginia Tech 11-10 in the first ACC content of the year.
Saturday's matchup started off as a defensive battle, with the two teams only combining for four goals in the first quarter. The Hokies scored the first two of the game, before Giandonato opened her 2025 account thanks to an assist from fellow classmate Avery Moon, her second of the season. The ACC foes traded turnovers and caused turnovers and the home team took a 3-1 lead heading to the second quarter of play.
The Panthers established some dominance in the contest during the second frame, scoring the only four goals and tightening their grip defensively. Giandonato scored her second, Sydney Naylor added two from the free position and Talia Zuco notched her fourth of the year to give Pitt the 5-3 lead at the half.
Virginia Tech matched their first quarter effort in the third, outscoring Pitt once again 3-1. Giandonato ripped off her third on the day to keep the game close, with the teams going to the last period of play tied at six.
The game finally opened up in the fourth. The Panthers scored the first two, with Giandonato netting number four and senior Jenna Hendrickson getting the first of the game. The Hokies followed suit with a 2-0 goal run of their own to knot the game again at eight. Sophomore Avery Moon scored from the eight meter for her sixth score early in the season, before the hosts scored three of their own to take a two-goal lead with only 2:05 left in regulation. The Panthers kept pushing, and the effort resulted in another goal by the game's standout, Giandonato. The Malvern, PA native set a new standard of her own, with five goals to lead the way offensively for either team. Virginia Tech sealed the door shut on the game though by grabbing the game's final draw control and not conceding possession as time expired.
On the day, Pitt dominated on the draw circle, securing 17 to the Hokies' eight. Sophomore transfer Aidan Carr had 13 of the visitors' 17, setting a new program record in a game for Pitt. Defensively, Gracie Kahoun caused three turnovers and goalie Molly Cain made six saves to keep the Panthers in the game throughout the day.
Pitt was seeking their second ACC win all-time, but will have to try for the victory again next time out when they make the long trip to California to face Stanford. Action is set for a 3 PM start on Thursday, February 27th.
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