Women suffer loss to Fighting Irish

Another Pitt team lost at home to Notre Dame.

But this time, it was the women’s soccer… Another Pitt team lost at home to Notre Dame.

But this time, it was the women’s soccer team’s 1-0 loss to the No. 2-ranked Fighting Irish on Sunday. This could end up being a turning point in the Panthers’ season, according to head coach Sue-Moy Chin.

“[This was a] moral victory,” Chin said. “We showed that we could play with some of the best teams in the country.”

The Panthers (5-8-2, 1-2-1 Big East) overcame a sluggish start and a first-half Irish goal to control most of the second half and nearly send the game into overtime against a team that has allowed only five goals all season.

Notre Dame (16-0-1, 4-0) came out of the gate fast and set the tempo for most of the first half. But Pitt managed to keep the Irish at the perimeter early in the game, giving Notre Dame few scoring opportunities.

That changed in the 22nd minute, when Irish back Christie Shaner lobbed a ball toward the Pitt net and forward Mary Boland got behind the Panthers’ defense to head the ball past goalkeeper Jamie Pelusi.

“[In the] first 25 minutes, we played scared,” Chin said. “There is an intimidating factor when you play the No. 2 team in the country.”

Pitt regrouped at halftime and utilized a more open style of play in the second half.

Pelusi made a couple of saves early in the half, both on shots from Notre Dame forward Amy Warner. Pelusi finished with seven saves on the day.

The Panthers had two opportunities late in the game to tie the score. In the 69th minute, Pitt forward Lisa Schulte outran the Irish and received a long pass from Pelusi. Schulte’s shot barely missed, sailing wide right.

In the 72nd minute, Pitt forward Jennifer DeLaHoz made a move to get around Notre Dame defender Vanessa Pruzinsky. Pruzinsky was called for a handball on the play, which set up a free kick for the Panthers from the right corner of the box.

Forward Erin Hills took the kick for Pitt and lobbed it toward Notre Dame goalie Erika Bohn.

Panthers’ back Jacqueline Reuter plowed her way into the play and nearly scored despite being crushed by several Irish players. The ball was cleared before it could trickle into the goal.

The game was the last home game for Pitt’s seniors. Forward Netta Agredano is only one goal away from Pitt’s all-time record and will have a chance to break the record in the final two games.

With regards to her seniors, Chin said, “Their contribution throughout the year has been tremendous on and off the field.”

The Panthers play next on Oct. 23 at West Virginia, but their last game, on Sunday at Villanova, could have a larger impact on their postseason aspirations.

Pitt trails the Wildcats by three points for the final spot in the Big East tournament. If Pitt wins, they will receive the berth because of the head-to-head victory.