PITTSBURGH (PTTP)- The University of Pittsburgh Women’s Lacrosse received its first ever Top 25 ranking this past week after an upset win against 13th-ranked Duke at home, 17-10.
Pitt opened its season with a win away at Ohio State and was 2-0 when they received their
ranking.
The Women’s lacrosse program officially became a Division I program only four years ago, with
its best season coming in 2025 at 8-8. Prior to this year, Pitt had only beaten one ranked opponent
since their inception.
The early success of the Panthers has been highlighted by the play of Junior Kaitlyn Giandonato,
who was named IWLCA Offensive Player of the Week, as well as ACC Co-Offensive Player of
the Week. Giandonato scored 4 goals, as well as assisting 2 in the win against Duke. She totaled
3 points in the Panthers’ win at Ohio State. Avery Moon leads the team in points, totaling 14
points across 3 games, and Paige Telatovich leads the team with 9 goals.
On Wednesday night, the Panthers would take part in their first-ever matchup as a ranked team,
heading into University Park to take on 23rd-ranked Penn State. The Panthers would fall behind
9-4 in the second quarter; however would rally back, scoring 5 unanswered goals in the 4th
quarter to send the game to overtime. The Panthers would, however, lose after Rocquette Allen of
the Nittany Lions would score in overtime.
The Panthers’ next game will be against Virginia Tech on February 22, at Highmark Stadium in
Pittsburgh.