Women’s soccer takes two to open season

Call them the cardiac kids. Pitt women’s soccer started off its 2006 campaign with a… Call them the cardiac kids. Pitt women’s soccer started off its 2006 campaign with a nail-biting victory Friday over Central Arkansas, taking a 2-1 win in overtime.

Riding the emotional high, the Panthers spanked tournament hosts Temple Sunday to capture the program’s first ever tournament title at the Owl Eyes Classic in Philadelphia. The pair of victories tied Pitt’s all-time best start to the season, matching its two-game winning streak to start 2005.

“Winning this tournament is a great way to start the season,” Pitt head coach Sue-Moy Chin told PittsburghPanthers.com Sunday. “I am pleased with everybody’s effort.”

Senior defender Carli Brill, sophomore forward Meta Haley and freshman forward Ashley Habbel made the All-Classic team for their stellar performances over the weekend.

Habbel scored twice while assisting one other goal and Brill tallied one assist. Sewickley, Pa., native Haley scored once for the Panthers.

Pitt 2, Central Arkansas 1 (OT)

It took extra time but Pitt emerged victorious in its first contest of the season. Tied heading into the extra period, Panther forward Meta Haley bagged a sudden-death, game-winning goal just minutes before the final whistle.

Pitt barraged Central Arkansas all afternoon, firing 25 shots while winning seven corners. But it took the Panthers 84 minutes before Habbel notched her first career goal in dramatic fashion.

Senior Kristina Francois drilled a shot that Central Arkansas goalkeeper Heather Joye could only parry, leaving Habbel wide open in front of the net for the rebound.

The goal knotted the match at 1-1, equalizing a 24th-minute goal by Central Arkansas forward Lauren King.

In extra time, senior midfielder Corina Sebesta slipped a through ball behind the Central Arkansas defense, leaving Haley in prime position to nail the game-winner. It was Haley’s second career goal for Pitt and Sebesta’s fifth career assist.

“I’m really happy with the win today,” head coach Chin told PittsburghPanthers.com Friday. “I thought we looked really good out there today, we really dominated and were able to control the game. We have depth and everyone contributed.”

Freshman goalkeeper Alison Finch saved two shots and split time with fellow freshman Katelyn Bakanowsky as the pair saw five shots combined.

Pitt 4, Temple 1

After the Temple Owls took an early 1-0 lead, the Panthers stormed back to victory with four unanswered goals.

Temple grabbed the lead with a 20th-minute strike from defender Natalie Mell, who drilled a bullet from 20 yards out.

Just under eight minutes later, Pitt equalized when freshman midfielder Katie Caslin found senior defender Katie Surma wide open. Surma tallied her second career goal for the Panthers.

Three minutes passed before Pitt struck again, this time taking the lead with another Habbel goal – her second of the tournament. Brill set the table for Habbel with a weighted pass, assisting the sixth Panther goal of her career.

Sophomore Erica Wright added her name to the scorer’s sheet with just two minutes remaining in the first half, pushing Pitt’s lead to 3-1.

The Panthers hammered Temple with eight shots in the first half, but they weren’t finished yet.

In the opening moments of the second half, Sebesta rippled the twine with her first goal of the season, giving Pitt the 4-1 lead. Sebesta scored off a Habbel assist, adding another earmark to Habbel’s breakout weekend.

Finch started in goal for Pitt, parrying four Owl shots, ending her first career tournament with six saves.

“We were down 1-0 early, but responded well,” Chin told PittsburghPanthers.com. “It was a balanced team effort.”

Pitt returns to action Friday at Flounders Field as it hosts SUNY-Binghamton in its home opener. The kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.