Women’s soccer ends season with loss to Villanova

Pitt’s women’s soccer team went into last weekend knowing that it had a chance to sneak into… Pitt’s women’s soccer team went into last weekend knowing that it had a chance to sneak into the Big East Championships with a victory at Villanova on Sunday. Considering that last year’s team went winless in conference play, a trip to the tournament would have been a nice way to finish up head coach Sue-Moy Chin’s first year on the job.

The Panthers finished their season on a disappointing note, however, losing to rival West Virginia 2-1 last Thursday and dropping the crucial battle against Villanova, 2-0.

Pitt finished their season at 5-10-2 overall and 1-4-1 in the Mid-Atlantic division of the Big East.

West Virginia 2, Pitt 1

Pitt made the short trip to Morgantown, W.Va., with momentum on its side after nearly upsetting No. 2 Notre Dame at home the previous Sunday. That momentum died quickly, however, when Mountaineer Laura Kane tipped a rebound past Panther goalkeeper Jamie Pelusi just 10 minutes into the contest.

Pitt has relied heavily on its defense and goaltending all season to make up for a lack of scoring, and the forwards were unable to muster many opportunities in the first half.

West Virginia added its second goal in the 41st minute. Ashley Weimer, a North Huntingdon, W.Va., native, ripped a shot towards the net that was stopped by Pelusi. Forward Chrissie Abbott charged into the play and slipped the ball under Pelusi.

Pitt pressured the Mountaineers more in the second half but was unable to score until the 69th minute, when defender Jacqueline Reuter, who has been outstanding all season defensively, scored her first career goal on a rebound.

Villanova 2, Pitt 0

Despite the WVU loss, the Panthers knew that the game at Villanova on Sunday was the game that would make or break their Big East Championship hopes. The Panthers once again gave up an early goal, and were unable to climb back into the game.

Villanova struck just 19 minutes into the game when forward Laura Johnson headed a cross pass by Pelusi.

Much like the WVU game, Villanova scored late in the first half to put the game out of reach for Pitt. With less than eight minutes before halftime, midfielder Candice MacDonald dribbled toward Pelusi and scored into the left side of the net from 10 yards out.

Pitt threw everything it had at the Wildcats in the second half, outshooting them 11-9, but was not able to score.

Forward Jennifer DeLaHoz, who finished with two shots on the game, ringed one off the post late in the game, but by then, it was too late.

Pitt senior forward Netta Agredano had three shots in the two games over the weekend but was unable to score. She needed just one more goal to tie the all-time Pitt record.