Senger scores hat trick in Pitt’s 4-0 win over Colonials

The struggling Pitt women’s soccer team got just what it needed last night in the form of a… The struggling Pitt women’s soccer team got just what it needed last night in the form of a non-conference game with another team that has had its share of difficulties.

Robert Morris’ Colonials (2-12) made the short trip to Founders Field and were defeated by the Panthers, 4-0. Forward Cara Senger led the way for Pitt, netting a hat trick.

Pitt, (5-7-2 Overall, 1-1-1 Big East), had only been able to muster a single goal in the first four games of its current home stand – until yesterday. “It’s nice to score some goals,” head coach Sue-Moy Chin said after the game.

Jennifer DeLaHoz started the onslaught for the Panthers, scoring her fourth goal of the season midway through the first half. The sophomore forward was able to receive a pass and get behind the Colonial defense before burying a shot behind Robert Morris goalkeeper Shana Berardi.

A few minutes later, Senger took over. For her first goal, Senger stole the ball off of a Colonial player and raced down the middle of the field with one defender to beat. Robert Morris defender Jen Rodgers bumped her, but Senger kept her balance and was able to get a shot off that trickled by Berardi.

Senger added her second goal in the 11th minute of the second half. Panthers defender Jacqueline Reuter floated a shot towards the net that bounced around in front of Berardi until Senger was able to clean up the mess and score.

Pitt dominated the entire second half, keeping the ball in Robert Morris territory. Senger finished of the scoring in the 26th minute, taking a free kick from forward Erin Hills and putting it into the corner of the net.

The game ended with a scare for the Panthers, when back Jacqueline Reuter went down with an ankle injury in the closing minutes. Although she needed to be helped off the field, Sue-Moy Chin sounded confident after the game that Reuter would be ready to go on Sunday.

While the win won’t help the Panthers in the Big East standings, it may bring a new confidence to a team that finishes its season with three straight conference games. Pitt, currently tied with Rutgers for the final spot in the Big East tournament, will be in a dogfight to qualify for postseason play.

The Panthers are next in action on Sunday at 1 p.m., when they take on Notre Dame. Chin seemed excited about the challenge of taking on the Fighting Irish.

“Notre Dame is [ranked] second in the nation,” Chin said. “What more can you say?”