Pitt
2-3
Stanford
5-0
Pitt Closes Game on 6-0 Run; Comeback vs. No. 8 Stanford Falls Short
2/27/2025 10:56:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
STANFORD, CA – Pitt Lacrosse started and finished Thursday's road contest with No. 8 Stanford well, but ultimately fell 16-12 at Cagan Stadium.
The Panthers proved to be up to their toughest test yet in 2025, as they played defensively sound to open the game. The two ACC teams scored only one goal each in the first fifteen minutes of play. Avery Moon scored the first Panther goal off of a slick feed by Jenna Hendrickson. The visitors held the lead for almost 10 minutes prior to the hosts scoring their opener. The offenses opened up in the second quarter which saw the Cardinal score five and Pitt score four. Hendrickson, Naylor (twice) and Emily Coughlin converted for the Panthers to match the Stanford scoring and keep the game at a one-goal deficit entering hafltime. The defense and Molly Cain stood tall in the opening 30 minutes as Cain recorded seven saves to that point.
Stanford opened up the third on a 6-0 scoring run that ultimately proved enough to be the difference in the match-up. Pitt struggled in the third quarter and throughout the Pacific time afternoon with holding onto possession, committing 24 turnovers overall. Kayli Carannate scored her first goal wearing the blue and gold with only a few minutes left in the third before Stanford added another to gain the 13-6 lead before the final quarter of play.
The Cardinal jumped on the chance to add to their lead again to open up the fourth, scoring the quarter's first three goals. In a part of the game that could have easily seen the guests fold to a top-ten team being already down 10 goals, insteaad Pitt fought and scrapped their way to the finsih line. That fight saw the Panthers score and end the contest on a six to zero scoring run. Kaitlyn Giandonato continued her good play in back to back games by scoring a hat trick in just over two minutes of game time (2:06). During that time, Naylor added her third for another hat trick and Carannante scored her second and third for the first hat trick of her young career. Pitt ran out of time to complete the comeback but showed their toughness and will look to build on the momentum at the end of Thursday's ACC game in their next game Monday.
Cain put together a career performance of her own, finishing the day with 12 saves to set a new personal best. Pitt used the draw to bring themselves back in the game and ended up tied with Stanford at 16 a piece. Coughlin grabbed four and Aidan Carr, Jill Fenech and Talia Zuco each picked up three of their own.
The Panthers will head back to Pittsburgh and will host their next four games of the season at Highmark Stadium in Station Square. First up is a non-conference tilt with Niagara, scheduled for Monday at 3 PM. Admission is free for all fans throughout the 2025 home schedule.
For all things Pitt Lacrosse, follow the team on Instagram and X: @Pitt_WLAX.
