Lacrosse knocks off UConn

It was solid defense that led the Pitt men’s lacrosse team to a 12-6 victory over… It was solid defense that led the Pitt men’s lacrosse team to a 12-6 victory over Connecticut at the Cost Center on Sunday afternoon.

The Panthers (6-1 overall, 3-0 Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association) shut out the Huskies in the third quarter, continuing to score goals to extend their lead to 7-4 going into the final quarter.

Junior midfielder Matt Stapleton scored two goals early in the fourth quarter to push Pitt out in front, 9-4.

After UConn scored two more goals, Pitt added three goals from attackmen Kyle Balliet and Jason Dawson, and midfielder Mike Robbins, in the final minutes to put the game out of reach.

Balliet led the way for the Panthers, scoring four goals in the contest while adding an assist.

“Kyle was fantastic,” head coach Robbie Heaps said. “He kept us in focus.”

Balliet helped get the scoring going early in the second quarter with a goal at the 14:43 mark to set the score even at two.

Seconds later, at the 14:24 mark, Panther junior attackman Neal Stephan scored to give Pitt a 3-2 lead.

After UConn scored two goals to reclaim the lead, Robbins knotted the score at four before heading into the half. Robbins finished with three goals and recorded an assist.

The division-leading Panthers will compete at home against No. 5 Michigan for the outright division lead on Saturday at 3 p.m. A win could place Pitt in the top 10 in the nation, according to Heaps.

“We’d love to have the support of Pitt students this Saturday,” Heaps said.

— Jimmy Johnson, staff writer

Pitt’s equestrian team contended with snow, sleet, wind and mud at its show over the weekend, but the team didn’t let the conditions prevent them from having a strong performance at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

“The weather was pretty bad and made things difficult,” team member Margaret Mahoney said.

The team’s strongest event was in novice flat, where it had the first- and second-place finishes from Sidney Rozek and Mahoney, respectively.

Mahoney had a tough draw when she was given a horse that would not cooperate. Luckily, the judges noticed how stubborn the horse was being and gave her a re-ride.

“They pulled the horse because it was being difficult,” Mahoney said.

Pitt also had a strong performance in advanced walk, trot, and canter by Marisa LaQuatra, as she was able to bring home a blue ribbon.

Other Pitt notables included Courtney Burford, who finished second in open flat. Jocelyn Kozick finished second in intermediate fences. Kira Mamula finished second in novice fences.

Pitt’s next show is the regional competition, which is scheduled to take place March 28 in Canonsburg, Pa.

— Ryan Walker, senior staff writer