Women’s soccer splits weekend home matches

The Pitt women’s soccer team split its weekend matches at Founders Field, recovering from its… The Pitt women’s soccer team split its weekend matches at Founders Field, recovering from its first Big East loss Friday with a win on Sunday.

The Panthers lost Friday night to No. 15 West Virginia, 3-1. They followed the disappointing defeat with a victory Sunday over the Ohio Bobcats, 1-0.

Sophomore goalkeeper Alison Finch had an impressive weekend, recording a shutout in Sunday’s victory. Goals were scored by Liz Carroll and Ashley Habbel.

Pitt upped its overall record to 5-3-0 but now has started conference play 0-1.

Coach Sue-Moy Chin was pleased with her team’s effort over the weekend.

“We played really well on Friday,” she said. “On Sunday, it was a little bit back and forth. We played really good in spurts.”

Although a few players got banged up during the two matches, the Panthers were able to avoid any major injuries, and no one should miss any playing time.

After facing Ohio, Pitt returns to Big East action Friday against Syracuse at Founders Field at 7 p.m. The Panthers travel to St. John’s two days later to go for a road conference victory.

“We’re excited, they know that every game in the Big East is going to be hard,” Chin said. “These are going to be really good games.”

WVU 3, Pitt 1

The women’s soccer version of the Backyard Brawl went to the Mountaineers, who controlled the tempo from the beginning. Even the relatively large crowd of 340 wasn’t enough to bring the Panthers over the top.

Ashley Banks scored the first two goals for West Virginia in the 35th and 53rd minutes. She received two great assists from teammates Carolyn Blank and Deana Everrett on the goals.

Pitt couldn’t advance past the West Virginia defense and couldn’t score in the first half. They finally cut the deficit in half in the 78th minute when Carroll fielded a cross from Laura Berbert and headed the ball past the Mountaineer goalie.

The Panthers couldn’t muster an equalizer, however. West Virginia answered Carroll’s goal with one of its own in the closing minutes. Amanda Cicchini scored on a header in the 87th minute to stamp down the win and the final score.

West Virginia’s record rose to 5-2-0.

The cross-state rivalry was unquestionably on the players’ minds.

“Friday’s game was very emotional,” Chin said. “They played their hearts out, and they lost. They definitely left it all on the field.”

Pitt 1, Ohio 0

Finch and the Panthers defense limited Ohio’s attack and got that vindication after falling to the Mountaineers. The Bobcats remained winless on the season with a 0-5-2 mark.

“Finch didn’t really get tested. They only had three or four shots on goal,” Chin said. “And she stopped them.”

Ashley Habbel scored the goal for the Panthers and has already registered 10 for her career in only her sophomore season. The goal was set up nicely by Kat Weiler and Christina Nicassio in the 30th minute. With the early goal, Pitt seemed poised to score another. That next goal never came, but in the end, it wasn’t needed.

Finch’s shutout was the sixth of her young career, and if she keeps her pace, she will be among Pitt’s all-time leaders by the time she is a senior.

The Pitt defense made Finch’s job that much easier. Ohio only attempted three shots on goal, and many others were made difficult by swarming defenders.

Chin believes that the one dimension that can be improved is the goal-scoring.

“It was a different kind of environment than Friday,” Chin explained. “We have to start converting on more chances.”