UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women's lacrosse team will host Pitt on Tuesday, April 12. First draw is slated for 4 p.m., and the contest will be steamed live on B1G+.
The Nittany Lions (5-6, 0-3 B1G) take a break from conference action and look to snap a four-game skid as they take on the Panthers (7-7, 1-6 ACC), who are in their first season as a program.
The game is also the Nittany Lions' HEADstrong game celebrating Hair Havoc to raise awareness and provide support for families fighting cancer.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Tuesday, April 12 | 4 p.m.
Live Stats | Watch | Tickets
SERIES HISTORY
• This will be the first game between the Nittany Lions and Panthers. 2022 is the inaugural season for Pitt women's lacrosse.
ABOUT THE NITTANY LIONS
• Sophomore Kristin O'Neill leads the Lions with 27 goals. She has nine multi-goal games this year. She also has a team best 34 points and 17 caused turnovers.
• Graduate transfer Taylor Regan has 93 career points.
• Junior Kara Nealon has a team best 20 assists.
• Sophomore Kayla Abernathy has won a team best 45 draw controls.
• Freshman Ashley Bowan has started between the pipes in the last eight games. She has a .411 save percentage. She made a career-high 13 saves at No. 9 Maryland and held the UMD defense to their second-lowest goal total of the season.
• PSU is 4-1 when the Nittany Lions score first. They are 1-5 when the opposition scores first.
PSU STATISTICAL RANKINGS
• PSU is seventh in the nation and second in the Big Ten in fewest turnovers per game (11.1).
• PSU is 12th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in clearing percentage (.918).
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
• Pitt most recently defeated Louisville, 17-10, for their first conference win.
• Graduate transfers Paige Petty (5G, 2A) and Chloe Jones (3G, 2A) combined for 12 points in that win.
• Petty leads the team with 35 goals, and she averages 2.73 per game. She also has won a team-best 60 draw controls.
• The Panthers' starting goalie and graduate transfer, Paulina DiFatta is 14-14 with a .453 save percentage.
PITT STATISTICAL RANKINGS
• Pitt is seventh in the nation in free position percentage (.536).
ADDITIONAL NOTES
• On March 15, Kristin O'Neill earned Big Ten Midfielder of the Week honors after combining for 10 points in wins over No. 21 James Madison and Saint Joseph's.
• On March 1, Brooke Hoss earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors after combining for six goals in wins at Duquesne and Cornell.
• Senior Mary Muldoon and junior Rachel Spilker were elected captains for the 2022 season.
• Grad transfer Taylor Regan and sophomores Sammy Dupcak and Kristin O'Neill were named Big Ten Players to Watch.
• 2021's Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Kristin O'Neill, was named to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List.
• Head Coach Missy Doherty is in her 12th season leading the Nittany Lions.
• Doherty notched her 200th career victory following the Lions' Feb. 23 win at Duquesne.
• The team returned 22 players while adding one graduate transfer and seven freshmen.
UP NEXT
• Penn State remains home to host Michigan at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 16. It will be the program's senior day.
• Pitt travels to Notre Dame on Saturday, April 16.
