Pitt
8-7, 2-7
Notre Dame
6-8, 1-7
Panthers Close Out Home Schedule with First Ranked Win in Program History
4/12/2025 9:26:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
PITTSBURGH, PA – Senior Day was one to remember for Pitt Lacrosse, as the Panthers recorded their first ranked win in program history defeating No. 25 Notre Dame 13-12.
Pitt came out of the gates as the aggressor early, winning draw control number one and scoring on their second possession of the game. In what would turn into a career day for the sophomore, Paige Telatovich scored the hosts first of the afternoon. Senior Sydney Naylor assisted on the first score and then followed up a little over a minute later to make the score 2-0 in favor of the Panthers. The teams went back and forth over the remaining 11 plus minutes of the opening period, trading two goals a piece. Telatovich got her second and senior Jenna Hendrickson scored her 43rd of the season, giving Pitt the 4-2 advantage heading to the quarter break.
Senior Jill Fenech used a nice feed by Kaitlyn Giandonato to extend the lead to three, before Notre Dame went on a 6-0 scoring run to make it 8-5 with around five minutes left in the half. Avery Moon stopped the bleeding thanks to Telatovich's find around the crease. The Fighting Irish used a 6-3 draw control edge in the second period to spark the run, leading 8-6 after 30 minutes of action.
The Panther grit that has been evident the entirety of this 2025 season once again shined through in the third, as Pitt scored four goals to begin the frame. Pittsburgh's own Emily Coughlin scored back to back goals, Moon added her second, and Telatovich completed her hat trick to bring the score to 10-8 in favor of the home team. Notre Dame got a goal back late in the third only to have Telatovich score her career-best fourth goal to finsish the third quarter.
The visitors from South Bend put two goals into the Panther net to begin the final fifteen minutes of play to bring the game to its third tie, this time at 11. Pitt would not be denied however on this day, 412 day, thanks to a second goal from Hendrickson and a fifth by Telatovich. Hendrickson's fourth period tally brought her season total to 44, a new Pitt Panther record. Notre Dame did get one back with 25 seconds left in the contest, but Pitt held on and finished off the 13-12 victory.
Saturday's result was the first ranked win in program history and the third ACC win for Pitt since starting play in 2022. In addition to Telatovich's huge day, Fenech stuffed the stat sheet with five ground balls, three caused turnoveres and three draw controls. Aidan Carr picked up seven draw controls to bring her career total over the 200 mark. In goal, Molly Cain made seven saves to assist the Panther defense and hold off the pesky Fighting Irish attack.
Pitt will conclude their 2025 regular season when they travel to Clemson to face the Tigers on April 17. The conference clash is scheduled for a 5 PM start.
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