Hokie ClubPITTSBURGH, Pa. - Virginia Tech dropped a hard-fought contest, 10-8, to No. 25 Pitt despite a gritty fourth-quarter performance.
Both squads struggled offensively from the opening draw. The Panthers’ defense stifled the Hokies for the majority of the first half until just over two minutes remained in the second quarter, when Reese Wallich found the opening for the unassisted goal, her third of the season.
One minute later, Sophia Trahan threaded the needle beautifully to Mia Pozzi, which left the Hokies trailing 4-2 at the break.
The ranked Panthers maintained their momentum throughout the third quarter. Tech dished in just one goal in the third frame, Lauren Render’s 10th of her senior campaign.
The Hokies accrued energy in the final frame of play, scoring five of their eight goals in the quarter. Pozzi and Render each added two more dimes, to give the attackers their first and second hat tricks of the season, respectively, and to cut the deficit to one.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Hokies subbed out graduate goalie Malie Follet in favor of an extra attacker on the field. However, two yellow cards assessed to Tech players led to a free position attempt with an open net, and the Panthers extended their lead to two with less than a minute remaining.
UP NEXT
Virginia Tech lacrosse returns to Blacksburg on Friday, Feb. 27, for a non-conference matchup against the Elon Phoenix. Opening draw is set for 1 p.m, with coverage available through ACCNX.