Volleyball, women’s soccer on opposite streaks

Cross Country – Pitt will attend the all-day National Invitational on Saturday in… Cross Country – Pitt will attend the all-day National Invitational on Saturday in State College, Pa. Last year the men’s team finished in 13th place and the women’s squad finished in 18th place on the weekend.

Football – After the Panthers’ 38-20 win against Cincinnati last weekend, Pitt (2-4 overall, 1-1 Big East) will host South Florida (3-2, 1-0) next Saturday at 2 p.m. This is South Florida’s first year as a member of the Big East Conference. Pitt dominated the Bulls last year, 43-14, behind five touchdown passes and a career-high 411 passing yards from quarterback Tyler Palko. The only other meeting between the schools was back in 2001, when the Bulls stunned the Panthers 35-26 at Heinz Field.

Men’s Soccer – Despite being outshot by 13, Pitt claimed a 1-0 decision over Marquette on Saturday. The Panthers (3-7-1 overall, 2-5 Big East) will next travel to Buffalo, N.Y., to take on Canisius at 5 p.m. tomorrow. Last year the Panthers defeated the Golden Griffens 3-0 in the season opener. On Saturday, Pitt will be on the road again for a matchup with the 2004 Big East champion Connecticut Huskies at 7 p.m. Pitt has not beaten the Huskies since 1995.

Women’s Soccer – Pitt will look to rebound from a 2-0 loss to No. 9 Marquette last Sunday when they travel to Washington to take on the Georgetown Hoyas this Sunday at 3 p.m. Last year, Pitt upended the Hoyas in its Big East opener 2-1. The Panthers, (2-8-3 overall, 1-4-2 Big East) are 0-8-3 since beginning the season 2-0. In that stretch, Pitt has managed only five goals.

Swimming and Diving – The Panthers will begin the year with their annual Blue-Gold intrasquad scrimmage this Friday, beginning at 11 a.m. The event, like all home meets, will be held at Trees Pool.

Tennis – Competing in their fourth tournament of the fall, the tennis team will travel to Newport News, Va., for the Hampton Rhoads Invitational to take place on Friday and Saturday.

Volleyball – Pitt (12-7 overall, 5-1 Big East), whose season-high winning streak was extended to five games over Syracuse and Marquette, will be hosting the “Field House Frenzy” on Friday at 7 p.m. against the Mountaineers of West Virginia. Last year the Panthers defeated West Virginia 3-0. Pitt has also never lost to West Virginia, owning a 34-0 all-time record in the volleyball version of the “Backyard Brawl.”