CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA –Pitt slipped to 0-3 on the season against ranked opponents with a 17-7 loss at No. 14 Virginia Friday evening. Kate Elam had a three-point game (1G, 2A), while Carlie Leach and Maureen McNierney each found the back of the net twice for the Panthers. McNierney opening the scoring with a rip into the upper left corner of the goal from the right wing at the 12:19 mark. Virginia responded with three consecutive goals including two from Ashlyn McGovern before McNierney scored for a second time off a pass from Kate Elam to trim the deficit to 3-2 with 4:36 left in the opening quarter. McGovern completed her hat trick at the 3:42 mark but Kierin Ratliff-Kailbourne countered off a feed from Chloe Jones with 1:15 left. Virginia took control of the game with the first four goals of the second quarter and outscored the Panthers 7-2 over the 15-minute span to grab an 11-5 halftime edge. Leach and Elam scored the Pitt goals in the second quarter but the Panthers were unable to overcome an 11-1 foul discrepancy. The Cavaliers extended the lead to 17-6 with a 6-1 run in the third quarter. Madisyn Kittell scored the lone goal of the fourth quarter off a free position attempt with 4:58 remaining. Virginia outshot the Panthers 40-18 on the night, including a 27-9 margin in the opening half of play. Pitt played the game without four-time All-America selection Paige Petty, who was sidelined due to injury. Petty leads the Panthers in points (28), goals (24) and draw controls (46). The Panthers return to action Monday, March 21 with a home contest against Niagara. Opening draw is set for 5 p.m. at Highmark Stadium.