UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State women's lacrosse travels to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this weekend for the second outing of a two-game road stretch. The Nittany Lions will take on Pittsburgh at Highmark Stadium on Tuesday, February 18.
First draw between PSU and the Panthers is set for 11 a.m. (ET). The game was originally slated for 4 p.m. but was moved up due to potential inclement weather in the area.
Game Info
Who: Penn State at Pittsburgh
What: In-state ACC vs. B1G showdown
Where: Pittsburgh, Pa. – Pitt Sports Dome
When: Tuesday, February 18 at 11 a.m. (ET)
Nittany Lions vs. Pittsburgh
The Nittany Lions and the Panthers have faced off three times in both program’s history. Pittsburgh, who’s program has only existed since the 2022 season, has faced off against PSU each year of existence. Penn State has won all three meetings by a combined goal differential of 43-24.
Scouting the Panthers
Pittsburgh enters the game 1-1 after grabbing an overtime win over St. Bonaventure in the team’s season opener and dropping a 14-11 decision to Arizona in the Panthers’ home opener.
The Hawks finished the 2024 season with a 5-13 record, including a 13-5 loss to the Nittany Lions. The Panthers struggled in conference play, posting an 0-9 record and falling in the opening round of the 2024 ACC Tournament to Clemson.
Last Time Out
Saint Joseph’s took a quick 1-0 lead less than two minutes into the Saturday matinee, but woman-up score by the Nittany Lions with 9:49 left in the first sparked a 4-0 Penn State run through 12:20 remained in the second quarter.
SJU broke the scoring drought at the 12:19 mark in the second quarter, but the Blue and White had two answers to take a 6-2 lead. The Hawks would battle back to a one-goal deficit at 7-6 to bring up halftime and scored first out of the break to knot the game at seven.
PSU built an 13-9 over nearly 24 minutes before Saint Jospeh’s began to mount a comeback, but it was too little, too late for the Hawks as Penn State closed out a 13-11 road win.
Preseason Nods
Penn State enters the 2025 season ranked No. 19 in the USA Lacrosse preseason poll and KANE Inside Lacrosse Media Poll. In the Big Ten preseason poll, the Nittany Lions were picked to finish fifth.
Senior captain Ellie Hollin has been raking in the preseason recognitions. The defender has been named a consensus preseason first-team All-American and earned a spot on the Tewaaraton watch list.
Hollin also earned nod from the conference offices, being named a Big Ten Player to Watch. She joined sophomores Sydney Manning and Kelly MacKinney on the list.
Getting Younger
Where the Nittany Lions returned 29-of-33 players from 2023 to 2024 roster, the 2025 roster boasts 24 sophomores and freshmen by class eligibility.
Manning and MacKinney highlight the group after their breakout seasons in 2024.
MacKinney returns as the fourth-leading scorer from last year. The then-freshmen posted 39 points on 14 goals and 25 assists. The attacker ranked in top ten in the conference and led the team with her assist total and assist per game mark (1.32).
Manning was named the 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season. The then-freshman has started 16 games in her rookie campaign, making 100 saves. She also scooped up 24 ground balls. The netminder made 15 save in the upset victories over No. 1 Northwestern and No. 4 Maryland in 2024.
Fresh Faces
Penn State adds 12 freshmen to the 2024 roster: Dakota Cristo, Arden Jansen, Alexa Kairis, Brooke Lattanzi, Brooke Long, Allie Meyer, Meggie Rezza, Porter Rhoades, Ava Stummer, Victoria Tomonto, Grace Tullock, and Ellie Wisch.
In addition to the rookies, Penn State added transfers Lily Strohecker (Navy) and Delaney Radin (Florida).
On the Lookout
- Kelly MacKinney is 13 assists away from 50 on her career.
- Sydney Manning 22 saves away from 150 on her career.
- Ellie Hollin is 12 caused turnovers away from 75 on her career.
- Erika Ho is one draw control away from 25 on her career.
Up Next
The Nittany Lions return home next week to take on Drexel on Wednesday, February 26. First draw is set for 4 p.m. at Panzer Stadium.