For 15 minutes of play, the Pittsburgh defense had no answers for the Virginia attack. Following a quiet first quarter, the Cavaliers (3-4, 2-1, ACC) ignited for seven goals across the middle periods, an offensive surge that blew the game open and anchored a 10-7 win over the Panthers (3-3, 2-2, ACC). By the time the fourth quarter began, Virginia had turned a competitive contest into a definitive statement of in-conference dominance.
Following a blowout loss at home Saturday, Virginia women's lacrosse hit the road to face ACC competition in Pittsburgh, Pa. Despite trailing at the end of the first quarter, the Cavaliers turned it up a notch to hold onto their undefeated mark in the all-time series against Pitt.
The Panthers were up 2-1 at the end of the first quarter, marking fierce competition that could have made it anyone's game. That is, until sophomore attacker Fiona Allen scored the first of what would be seven consecutive goals.
Junior attacker Jenna DiNardo led the offensive charge, scoring the team's first goal and completing her hat trick at the end of the third period — alongside an assist to sophomore attacker Gabby LaVerghetta with six seconds left in the first half.
While the offense found its rhythm, Virginia's defense was equally suffocating, holding the Panthers to just two goals combined across the second and third quarters. Graduate goalkeeper Elyse Finnelle was a wall in the cage, recording eight of her 10 total saves in the first half to keep Pitt within reach before the Cavalier offense took over.
Coach Sonia LaMonica commented on the synergy of her team after the game.
“Our defensive unit hung tough, and Elyse made some great stops while our offensive group problem-solved to pull away in the third quarter,” LaMonica said. “Sometimes that’s what it comes down to, your units simply working hard for each other.”
Technically, Virginia was strong in the circle, edging out the Panthers for 68 percent of draw controls. Though Pitt proved scrappy on the turf — taking control of 14 ground balls in comparison to Virginia's 10 — the Cavaliers’ precision in transition proved too much to overcome.
The Panthers attempted a late fourth-quarter comeback, making three goals to narrow the gap to 9-7 — but junior midfielder Kate Galica slammed the door shut, netting a final goal with less than a minute remaining and sealing the 10-7 victory for Virginia.
While a decisive victory, the Cavaliers are going to have to keep their foot on the gas as they continue down to Tallahassee, Fla. to face Florida State Sunday. The two teams, while both in the ACC, have never met before — giving Virginia a prime opportunity to assert its dominance as a force to be reckoned with in the conference.
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