University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
3-2, 2-1
Notre Dame
5-1, 2-1
Pitt Falls to No. 8 Notre Dame in South Bend
2/28/2026 2:40:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - No.24 Pitt women's lacrosse fell to No. 8 Notre Dame 12-9 Saturday afternoon at Arlotta Stadium.
Emily Clemens aided the Panthers with three goals and an assist for four points on the day for her second hat trick of the season. Avery Moon dished out five assists to set a new single-game program record. Kaitlyn Giandonato added three goals to bring her season total to 14, while Julia Bruno found the back of the net for the first time in her career. Molly Cain made 10 saves in goal.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Fighting Irish jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first quarter, but Pitt answered with two of their own to narrow the deficit. Clemens added one on a man-up opportunity and Giandonato found the back of the net with under a minute in the frame.
The two teams traded goals evenly in the second quarter, each scoring four, but the Panthers could not close the gap. Pitt cut it to 8-6 behind a four-goal stretch from Clemens, Bruno, and Giandonato before Notre Dame answered to close the half at 9-6.
The Irish extended their lead to five in the third, going up 12-7. Moon converted a free-position goal before the Panthers headed to the fourth trailing by five. Pitt scored twice in the final quarter, Gigi Leonzi and Giandonato, but could not complete the comeback.
GAME NOTES
- Moon's five assists set a new single-game program record, surpassing the previous mark of four she had set twice.
- Bruno scored the first goal of her career in the second quarter.
- Cain made 10 saves, including seven in the fourth quarter alone.
- Pitt won the draw battle in the second quarter 6-2, finishing with 11 draw controls on the day compared to Notre Dame's 12.
- The Panthers caused 10 turnovers on the afternoon, led by Lainey McGonagle with three.
- Avery Carr tallied nine draw controls in the matchup.
UP NEXT
Pitt returns home to Highmark Stadium to host Virginia on Wednesday, March 4. First draw is set for 2 p.m. Admission is free to all spectators.
For all things Pitt Lacrosse, follow the team on Instagram and X, @Pitt_WLAX.
