by Luke Henne | sports editor
Feb. 17, 2022
The Duquesne women’s lacrosse team opened up its season with two games in four days this past week.
The Dukes fell to crosstown rival Pitt 9-8 in an overtime contest at Highmark Stadium on Friday evening before beating Youngstown State 19-15 in their home opener at Rooney Field on Monday afternoon.
Friday’s win over Duquesne was the first in Pitt’s program history, as the team is in its inaugural year of competition.
Despite holding an 8-7 edge late into the fourth quarter, the Dukes surrendered a game-tying goal to Paige Petty with 2:08 left in the game, allowing the Panthers to force overtime.
Just over a minute into the extra period, Pitt’s Carlie Leach scored her second goal of the game. The Panthers were able to fend off any last rush from the Dukes, securing a come-from-behind victory in their first-ever game.
Pitt’s success at the offensive end of the field came largely from Kierin Ratliff-Kailbourne, who scored four times in a game-high five shots on goal.
Duquesne’s offensive attack was led predominantly by freshman Delaney Rodriguez-Shaw, who scored two goals (on a team-high four shots on goal) and also recorded an assist.
Tina St. Clair also scored two goals for the Dukes, while Rachel O’Toole made seven saves in 63 minutes worth of action.
In Monday’s victory, the Dukes jumped out to a 4-0 lead by the 9:58 mark of the first quarter and never looked back. The Penguins scored the game’s final four goals to inch back in, but weren’t able to draw any closer.
An offensive outpouring from Duquesne was highlighted by the efforts of Sam King (four goals and an assist), St. Clair (four goals), Rodriguez-Shaw (four goals) and Alana Piano (three goals).
Youngstown State got an impressive individual effort from Natalie Calandra-Ryan, who scored six goals and added two assists. Sydney Bumstead and Erin Clark also each added three goals and an assist for the Penguins.
Duquesne will be back in action on Friday afternoon, when it travels to Kent, Ohio, for a road contest with Kent State.
