UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State women's lacrosse snapped a four-game skid with a 15-7 win over Pitt on Tuesday afternoon at Panzer Stadium.
Penn State (6-6, 0-3 B1G) had three players net a hat trick in Taylor Regan (3G, 3A), Kristin O'Neill (3G, 1A) and Meghan Murray (3G, 1A).
Regan led the Nittany Lions by tying her season high six points, which she set at Cornell earlier this season. The graduate transfer from Virginia is now at 99 career points.
O'Neill's four points brings her to 75 career points in two seasons at Penn State.
First-year program Pitt drops to 7-8 and 1-6 in the ACC following the loss.
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
- Eight different Nittany Lions scored in the game. Regan, O'Neill, Murray and Gilmore had multi-goal games.
- All seven of Pitt's goals were scored by different players.
- PSU out-shot Pitt with a season high 42 shots to 19.
- The second quarter saw five free-position goals in a row between both teams. Four were scored by the Nittany Lions and one by the Panthers.
- The Nittany Lions caused eight of Pitt's 18 turnovers. Kate Love and Rachel Spilker caused two turnovers each.
- Love also recorded a team-high three ground balls.
- Draw controls were even at 13 apiece. Kayla Abernathy won seven for the Nittany Lions while O'Neill accounted for six.
- Ashley Bowan made five saves between the pipes.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter – PSU 4, Pitt 3
O'Neill started the Nittany Lions off hot by scoring back-to-back goals within nine seconds. She scored the opening goal of the contest then fielded the next draw control, marching down the field to score again. Pitt would go on a three-goal run to take what would be their only lead of the game. Mary Muldoon scored in transition assisted by Regan at 4:10. Under two minutes later, Gilmore took the lead back with a feed from Murray.
Second Quarter – PSU 11, Pitt 5
A Pitt yellow card with 12 seconds left in the first quarter carried over into the second. PSU took advantage of the woman-up opportunity as Sydney Wolfington and O'Neill connected on a catch-and-shoot play in the first minute of the period. The next score proved to be O'Neill's hat trick with an assist from Regan. Then Regan would score her first goal of the game for the 7-3 lead assisted by Gilmore. PSU's next two scores came from free-position by Murray and Regan. At 3:41, Pitt scored on a free-position opportunity themselves while up a player to stop a seven-goal PSU run. In the final two minutes of the half, Murray and Abernathy netted back-to-back free-position goals. With 18 seconds remaining of the half, Pitt took a goal back to enter the third period down 11-5.
Third Quarter – PSU 14, Pitt 5
PSU held Pitt scoreless in the third quarter while scoring three themselves on goals by Murray, Gilmore and Brooke Hoss. Hoss' free-position goal brought the Nittany Lions their largest lead of eight, 14-5.
Fourth Quarter – PSU 15, Pitt 7
The Panthers nabbed back two goals in the fourth, one off free-position. With 1:36 remaining, Regan netted her third goal and 99th career point on a free-position goal.
POST GAME REACTIONS
Head Coach Missy Doherty
"We have been really challenging our offense with controlling the game, and I think we have to find a way to continue to move the ball past two or three passes. I think they did a great job of that. Thankfully having that energy under their belts for what they are supposed to do."
Sophomore Kristin O'Neill on starting the game off strong.
"That was a big focus for us this week, not starting slow, coming out how we know we can and not having to make up goals. I'm just so proud, defense to offense, we all came together and came out so hard. It was easy for me to put those two goals in with everyone else playing so well."
O'Neill on scoring her 75th career point
"It's just such a big honor to be able to play for a school like Penn State. I was lucky enough to be able to play and contribute last year and this year. It makes me really grateful to be able to play for these coaches but also to play with my best friends everyday. They make it really easy and fun.
UP NEXT
Penn State remains at home to host No. 19 Michigan at on Saturday, April 16 at Panzer Stadium. First draw is scheduled for 1 p.m.