Several Pitt teams to host games on campus this weekend

The Pitt football team will be on bye this weekend following back-to-back impressive victories,…

The Pitt women’s soccer team will hope to earn its first conference win of the season when it hosts in-state rival Villanova on Friday night.

Bobby Mizia, Senior Staff Photographer

The Pitt football team will be on bye this weekend following back-to-back impressive victories, but fans craving University athletics still have numerous options on campus over the next few days.

Beginning on Friday, the Pitt men’s and women’s soccer teams, the volleyball team and even the softball team will each host games this weekend at the Petersen Sports Complex and the Fitzgerald Field House, respectively.

Here’s a rundown of the sports-viewing opportunities available to Pitt fans during the football-less weekend:

Friday, Sept. 28

The weekend of Pitt athletics begins with a pair of games on Friday evening at 7 p.m.

The women’s soccer team welcomes in-state and conference rival Villanova to Ambrose Urbanic Field in the Petersen Sports Complex.

After a solid start to the season, the Panthers (5-7-1, 0-3-1 Big East) have struggled in the challenging Big East, but this matchup with the Wildcats (4-6-2, 2-2 Big East) could provide Pitt with its first conference win of the season.

“We look forward to being home,” Pitt first-year head coach Greg Miller said on the University’s official website. “We’ll continue to fight and try to get some points wherever we can get them.”

Meanwhile, the volleyball team hosts Big East foe Cincinnati at the Fitzgerald Field House.

The Panthers (10-6, 1-1 Big East) return home for the first time since Sept. 4, after splitting games against Seton Hall and Rutgers last weekend to begin conference play. Pitt will hope that a victory over the Bearcats (3-11, 1-1 Big East) can extend its winning streak at home to four games.

Pitt head coach Toby Rens hailed senior outside hitter Alexa Campbell’s performance in his team’s five-set triumph over Rutgers.

“Alexa has been one of our most consistent players all season,” Rens said. “She has brought her play to another level, and I have been impressed with her play in every aspect of the game.”

Saturday, Sept. 29

Following a pair of victories at the Cleveland State Tournament last weekend, the Pitt softball team will continue its fall-ball schedule on Saturday, when the Panthers host Cleveland State for a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. at Vartabedian Field in the Petersen Sports Complex.

Pitt defeated the Vikings 3-0 at Cleveland State’s own tournament last Saturday.

Later in the evening, the Pitt men’s soccer team (6-2-2, 0-1 Big East) will look to return to winning ways against the talented No. 5 Georgetown Hoyas (9-0-1, 1-0 Big East) at Ambrose Urbanic Field in the Petersen Sports Complex.

After a 6-0-2 start, the Panthers have dropped two games in a row against Cincinnati and Navy.

“We played well in spurts, but not a complete game, which was the difference,” Pitt head coach Joe Luxbacher said of the 3-1 defeat to Navy.

Sunday, Sept. 30

Pitt’s upper campus will be a busy place Sunday afternoon.

Beginning at 1 p.m. in the Petersen Sports Complex, the softball team will face Youngstown State in a doubleheader, while the women’s soccer team will play Georgetown.

At the same time, the volleyball team will host No. 17 Louisville (12-2, 1-1 Big East) at the Fitzgerald Field House, as the packed weekend schedule of Pitt sports concludes with the Panthers hoping to upset the ranked Cardinals.