Cards Fall at Virginia Tech in ACC Opener

Saturday, February 14

Blacksburg, VA

11:00 AM

University of Louisville

0-2,0-1

Virginia Tech

2-1,1-0

Louisville

Virginia Tech

Photo by: Ryan Hedley | Virginia Tech Athletics

February 14, 2026 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

Reese Whiteman registered four goals, Ella Berg added three in 16-11 loss at Virginia Tech

By: CT Trodglen

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The University of Louisville lacrosse team's comeback fell short in a 16-11 loss at Virginia Tech in both teams' Atlantic Coast Conference road opener Saturday afternoon at Beamer-Lawson Indoor Facility.

"Our team showed a lot of fight today," said UofL head coach Scott Teeter. "We made too many mental mistakes in the first half and struggled early, but we played hard and battled through."

Junior Reese Whiteman led the way with four goals, securing her second hat trick of the season and adding an assist. Sophomore Ella Berg registered her first hat trick of the young season. Rian Adkins, Charlotte Jackson, Erin Nicholson and Grayce Kitchen each recorded a goal to help the Cardinals' offensive effort. Goalie Haley Richards collected eight saves. With the loss, Louisville drops to 0-2, on the season and 0-1 in ACC play.

The Hokies (2-1, 1-0 ACC) jumped up early with two goals in the first four minutes of play, Whiteman put the Cards on the board to make the score 2-1. Tech scored three unanswered to end the first quarter with a 5-1 lead.

Early in the second quarter Virginia Tech extended its lead to 7-1, with 10:08 left in the half. It was a stalemate for the next six-plus minutes, until Jackson opened the scoring back up for the Cardinals with an assist by Whiteman.

Tech's Lauren Render responded quickly, securing a hat trick in the first half. With just under a minute to go in the second quarter, Nicholson found the back of the net for Louisville. The Cards would trail 8-3 heading into the break.

Adkins got the scoring started in the second half, dropping in a goal with 12:40 left on the quarter clock. Less than three minutes later Whiteman added her second score of the day to put UofL down 8-5.

Virginia Tech answered with another goal by Render. Whiteman responded and converted a free position for a goal for Louisville. Three minutes later the Hokies got a free position goal of their own to give themselves a 10-6 advantage.

Back-to-back goals by Berg and Kitchen pulled the Cards within two goals at 10-8. Virginia Tech scored with 30 seconds left in the period to take an 11-8 lead into the final quarter.

Berg added two more goals in the first six minutes of fourth quarter, with a goal by the Hokies sandwiched in between them to make it a 12-10 lead for Tech.

Virginia Tech answered with back-to-back goals by Sarah Murrell to give the Hokies a four-goal cushion. Whiteman followed with her fourth goal on the day before Tech ended the game by scoring two unanswered goals for the 16-11 final

In the game, Virginia Tech outshot Louisville 31-24 with a 24-19 advantage in shots on goal. Render finished with a game-high five goals while goalie Mallie Follet picked up eight saves. The Hokies also held a 15-14 edge in draw controls. For the Cards, Berg finished the game with a career-high six draw controls with Olivia Scroggie picking up four. Cate Kangas, Bella Pedone, Karli Kirchenheiter and Adkins collected two groundballs apiece as Louisville tallied 14 in the game.

Next up: The Cards will be back in action on Wednesday, February 18, when they host Kent State at 12 p.m. at UofL Lacrosse Stadium. The game will air on ACCNX.

LOUISVILLE NOTES:
• Louisville had two players register hat tricks for the second straight contest this season.
• Reese Whiteman notched her second consecutive hat trick in as many games this season. She now has five career hat tricks.
• This marked the second straight game in which Whiteman scored Louisville's first goal of the contest
• Whiteman's four goals were the most for a Louisville player since April 9, 2025.
• Whiteman now leads the team with seven goals and eight points
• Ella Berg registered her first hat trick of the season and second of her career.
• Berg collected a career-high six draw controls
• Erin Nicholson and Rian Adkins pushed their goal streaks to three games dating back to April
• Berg and Charlotte Jackson have scored in both of Louisville's games this season.
• Grayce Kitchen scored her first career goal