Women’s soccer progresses

For the second straight year, the Pitt women’s soccer season ended in the first round of the… For the second straight year, the Pitt women’s soccer season ended in the first round of the Big East Tournament.

Despite the disappointing early exit from postseason play, there are a lot of positives that players and coaches alike can look back on.

“I thought we had a very good year,” head coach Sue-Moy Chin said. “I thought it was a successful season, and we’re taking the right steps forwards going forward with the program.”

“Overall, I was very pleased with the effort of the girls, with their fitness, with the way we were playing and the progression that we’re making with the team.”

Despite finishing the season with a respectable 8-8-3 overall record following their playoff loss to Louisville, the Panthers posted a lowly 3-6-2 mark against Big East opponents.

“There were some games during the season that we should have won, so we’re a little disappointed in that regard knowing how the season could have been that much better,” Chin said.

The statistics support Chin’s statement. Pitt only gave up three more goals than it scored on the season, and actually out-shot opponents 239-224. The Panthers also committed only 188 fouls to their opponents 221. Normally a team with these statistics would expect more success.

Extra time killed the Panthers all season long, however. The team posted a 1-3-3 record when games were decided in overtime.

“There were a couple of games where we dominated play and may have had a lead as well and then didn’t put it away, so we need to get better at that and better at finishing games.”

On the bright side, for the third straight year, a Pitt player earned All-Big East honors. Earlier this week, senior midfielder Corina Sebesta was named to the All-Big East Third Team. She is only the fifth player in team history to receive an All-Big East selection.

The senior captain led the Panthers with six goals, 15 points, 37 shots and 25 shots on goal. Sebesta ended her career at Pitt with seven assists, 12 goals and 31 points in 71 games.

“I thought she was very deserving of that recognition,” Chin said. “She had a very strong year for us, and she was a good leader for us on the field and off the field. She put in a lot of hard work in the last couple years, and I was glad to see her recognized for that hard work.”

Pitt faithful will have plenty to look forward to in the next few years, thanks to outstanding play from some of its younger players.

Freshman Ashley Habbel finished second on the team in points with 13 and tied with Sebesta for the team leader in goals scored with six.

Sophomores Jennifer Kritch and Meta Haley finished third and fourth on the team in total points with 12 and 11, respectively.

Kritch led the team with six assists and added three goals, while Haley finished third on the team with her five goals.

In the net, freshman Alison Finch started 18 of 19 contests for the Panthers. She posted a solid .723 save percentage while allowing 1.59 goals per game. She also recorded two shutouts in contests against Western Michigan and Kent State.

With so many returning players, Chin is extremely excited about their prospects for next season.

“I think we’ll be a lot better next year, and I anticipate us going even further.”