Pitt lacrosse finishes regular season undefeated

Pitt attackman Becky Krinsky scored 14 goals during the Panthers six-game road trip, in… Pitt attackman Becky Krinsky scored 14 goals during the Panthers six-game road trip, in which they ended the regular season undefeated. But when Krinsky did not have a big game, her teammates were able to pick up the slack.

?As a freshman, I think she may have been in the top two or three [in scoring] in the league,? head coach Gary Neft said. ?That [somebody stepping up] happened all year. It was somebody different every game. We had people stepping up when somebody else didn?t. That comes from our depth.?

The Panthers (15-0) road trip included visits to West Virginia, Michigan State, Toledo, Ball State, Slippery Rock and Buffalo. Pitt concluded the regular season first in its division and tied for second overall in the league.

?[Finishing undefeated] became the goal as we got closer to it,? Neft said. ?After we got out of February, I think that became the goal.?

During the stretch, Pitt had a strong defensive effort as, on average, it gave up 3.16 goals per game, and the offense took care of the rest.

?We have a good mixture of veterans and younger players [on defense] that really came through and made us balanced.? Neft said.

The Panthers offense averaged 11.5 goals per game and scored as many as 15 goals in a game during the road trip.

?It?s probably the most that we have ever averaged,? Neft said. ?It is the balance; we can go four or five deep and not lose anything by going to our subs.?

Pitt 11, West Virginia 2

Krinsky led the way for the visiting Panthers as she scored four goals in their 11-2 win over West Virginia.

Denice Dauer was the second-leading scorer of the game with three goals. Becky Chambers and Christine Rogers each contributed one goal apiece.

Pitt 8, Michigan State 5

Pitt traveled to Michigan State after taking two days off and took on the Spartans. The Panthers pulled out an 8-5 victory behind a strong effort by Jill Ciotta and Stephanie Mansueto.

Ciotta and Mansueto each scored two goals in the contest in which Ciotta also recorded an assist. Krinsky, Dauer, Chambers and Theresa Bennett also each scored a goal. Krinsky added two assists while Dauer and Bennett also contributed an assist each.

Pitt 15, Toledo 2

The road trip continued on to Toledo and so did the Panthers? winning streak. Pitt manhandled the Rockets ? 15-2 ? as Krinsky and Tracy Eisen turned in big performances, scoring three goals apiece.

Shannon House contributed two goals and an assist. Bennett, Chambers, Dauer, Sandahl Parish, Maggie Terrell, Laura Thomas and Sarah Woolcock also scored goals for the Panthers.

Pitt 13, Ball State 2

Ball State was the next victim on Pitt?s hit list and road trip as the Panthers turned in another dominant performance with a 13-2 win over the Cardinals.

Again it was Krinsky who was the game?s leading scorer with four goals. Ciotta was the Panthers second-leading scorer with two goals. Chambers, Eisen, Parish, Rogers, Terrell, Susan Natale and Emily Parton all scored one goal in the contest.

Pitt 15, Slippery Rock 3

The only feat that Slippery Rock could boast was slowing down Krinsky, but it was not enough as the Panthers won 15-3.Krinsky was held to one goal and an assist, but Rogers compensated by scoring three goals. Chambers, Eisen, Parish and Thomas contributed two goals each. Terrell, Jen Collier and Kristen Wall each scored a goal.

Pitt 7, Buffalo 5

Pitt?s road trip came to an end in Buffalo, but its undefeated season would remain intact with a 7-5 victory over Buffalo.

This time it was House who was the leading scorer for the Panthers as she scored three goals. Krinsky only scored one goal, but had four assists. Bennett, Chambers and Natale all scored one goal apiece.

The Panthers qualified for the Nationals, which begin May 8th in St. Louis. Pitt has qualified for the Final Eight and is the seventh seed. Its first game will not be an easy task, as the Panthers must take on the two-time defending champion Cal Poly Mustangs on May 9 at 11 a.m.

?I?m optimistic. I won?t kid anybody,? Neft said. ?We have a tough road ahead of us.?