PITTSBURGH – The Duquesne University lacrosse team dropped its season opener to the Pitt Panthers on Saturday afternoon, losing 16-10 at Rooney Field. Duquesne is 0-1 on the year while Pitt is 1-0.

Despite a nine-goal deficit just before halftime, Duquesne scratched and clawed its way back into the game by scoring five-straight goals from 0:22 in the second quarter to 13:18 in the fourth. Pitt didn't score its first goal of the second half until 10:35 in the fourth.

Sophomore Mackenzie Leszczynski netted the first two goals of the season for Duquesne in the first quarter, but Pitt struck quick and efficiently as well, putting up seven goals in the first 15 minutes to take a 7-2 lead.

The Dukes scored early in the second, but Pitt came back with five-straight goals to take a commanding 12-3 lead. At halftime, Pitt led 12-4 as Leszczynski clinched a hat-trick just before half.

Duquesne came out of the locker room a different team, as it scored three-straight to bring the Dukes within five. Senior Jillian Caroselli scored two of those while freshman Chelsea Evans tallied the other.

In the final quarter, Caroselli scored her hat-trick with an absolute rocket from the left side of the goal to bring Duquesne within four. Unfortunately, Pitt answered with their first two goals of the second half to put it back up by six.

Freshman Chloe Holmes scored her second goal of the game with 8:26 remaining, but the Panthers answered once again and were able to hold their advantage for the rest of the game.

Duquesne is back on the field this on Thursday, Feb. 16 to when it hosts Kent State at 4:00 P.M. ET.

GAME NOTES

• Evans and Holmes each scored the first goals of their respective collegiate careers today.
• Leszczynski notched her first hat-trick of the season and fifth of her career.
• Caroselli tallied her first hat-trick of the season, which was the third of her career.
• Junior captain Emelie Curtis recorded her first points as captain of the team, scoring a goal and tallying an assist.