Women’s soccer: Panthers defeat Syracuse on senior night, go 1-1 on the weekend

The Pitt women’s soccer team took on two Big East opponents this weekend and went 1-1. After suffering a tough loss to No. 11-ranked St. John’s, Pitt (7-3-4, 2-1-4 Big East) defeated Syracuse on the Panthers’ senior night. Pitt will finish conference play and the rest of its regular season on the road.

St. John’s 1

Pitt 0

The Pitt women’s soccer team fell behind early and was unable to mount a comeback against St. John’s at Founders Field on Friday night.

The Panthers lost, 1-0, to the Red Storm (10-2-1, 4-1-1).

Pitt head coach Sue-Moy Chin said the Panthers lacked intensity at the beginning of the match, which led to Red Storm’s game-winning header goal in the 12th minute.

“We came out flat in the first half, and that’s not how we wanted to execute,” Chin said. “We were chasing them for the majority of time. We can’t afford to have that slow of a start, especially not in league play.”

Chin said the Panthers improved late in the first half and for the greater part of the second half but were unable to capitalize on their opportunities.

One of those chances came in the 21st minute when Laura Berbert fired a shot on goal. That attempt was followed by Lyndsay Pierson’s shot in the 59th minute. Both of the shots were swatted away by Red Storm goalkeeper Kristin Russell.

In the final minutes of the game, junior Liz Carroll attempted a shot from the middle of the field, which forced Russell to make a diving stop to secure the win for St. John’s.

St. John’s out-shot Pitt 16-11 and had six shots on goal to Pitt’s four.

The Panthers’ defense, which has been strong for the team all season, gave up its second goal in five games.

Senior Pitt goalkeeper Alison Finch made six saves in the game. Finch replaced starting goalkeeper Morie Kephart, who was injured in Pitt’s game against DePaul last week.

Chin said they will continue to evaluate Kephart and she might return next week.

Syracuse 0

Pitt 1

The Panthers held senior night on Sunday at Founders Field and defeated Syracuse (4-1-3, 1-5-1).

The game was the last home game for Panther seniors Ashley Habbel, Alison Finch, Molly Griganavicius, Maura Caslin and Katie Caslin.

“The seniors have been great for us,” Chin said. “They could be one of the strongest classes ever to go through in Pitt’s history. The girls all like and respect this senior class. They’ve really given back to the program.”

She said the seniors contribute to the team in many different ways, from leadership to boosting team moral. She described the five girls as the spirit of the team.

“It seems like Maura Caslin has been on the field forever,” Chin said, “And Katie has been in and out of the starting line-up, as well.”

Chin described Griganavicius as the comedic relief and emotional life of the team and spoke highly of Habbel.

“Ashley Habbel has been great for us,” Chin said. “She broke Pitt’s career scoring record this year and could end up breaking the career points record by the end of the season.”

Finch, who arrived at Pitt as a walk-on, was named one of College Soccer 360’s Primetime Performers of the Week for Sept. 28 through Oct. 4, after shutting out No. 10-ranked Notre Dame in a double overtime tie.

Chin said the game against Notre Dame was the strongest performance of Finch’s career.

“She’s played really well,” Chin said of Finch. “I think that’s a good testament to her work rate, maturity and mental toughness to be that back-up goalkeeper and perform the way she has.”

As for the game, Chin said there was a huge difference in Pitt’s intensity from Friday, as the Panthers defense accumulated their eighth school record shut out of the season.

“The defense understands the system really well, and they work really hard,” Chin said. “It’s been great, and they’ve been a huge contributing factor to the shut-outs and the success we’ve had this season.”

Finch was the goalkeeper again, registering her second shut-out in three games. She collected three saves that day.

Junior midfielder Katheryn Kunugi’s first career goal was a game-winner. She headed the ball past the Syracuse goalkeeper in the 36th minute off a direct kick from defender Kat Weiler.

Pitt finished the game with a 16-4 shot advantage and led the Orange 6-1 in corner kicks.

The Panthers need one more win to tie the school record for most wins in a single season.

They will get their chance when they finish the season with three-straight road games. Their next game is Friday at Georgetown.