No regrets.

This team motto has this year’s women’s soccer team poised to take on all odds… No regrets.

This team motto has this year’s women’s soccer team poised to take on all odds and do what is necessary to come out on top. Last weekend was no different as Pitt posted a 2-0 victory over cross-town rival Duquesne and a 3-0 win over Lehigh.

The victories raise the Panthers’ overall season record to 3-1. These wins were a direct result of the drive and determination of the team. On Friday evening against Duquesne, Pitt got the scoring underway with a booming goal kick by keeper Jaime Pelusi, who then found a wide-open Netta Agredano, who pushed the ball forward and chipped it over the already committed Duquesne keeper Kristin Scharphorn. The assist credited to Pelusi marked her first points as a Panther, and the goal by Agredano was her first of the season.

Pitt continued its offensive attack in the second half, when, in the 50th minute of play, senior defender Cara Kappler took a feed from freshman forward Jennifer DeLaHoz, and lifted a 30-yard chip shot into the top of the net. This was Kappler’s first career goal, and it sparked a unified celebration from the rowdy Panther bench as well as those on the field.

“Our bench tonight was incredible. Our entire team played hard and together, and the bench played a big role in this win,” Kappler said.

The Panthers showed great intensity throughout the game, and as a result, they outshot the Dukes 12-9, as well as held the edge in the corner kicks 6-4. Pelusi notched her first collegiate shutout while having to stop only two Duke shots.

“I’ve never been on a team this close, and at first I was nervous about playing at the next level, but I’m much more comfortable now because of my teammates. We play for each other,” Pelusi said.

At Lehigh on Sunday afternoon, the heat played a factor in the overall tempo of the game. Because of 90-degree temperatures, Pitt had to rely on the depth of its bench to maintain the constant physical, high-octane, up-tempo style of play. The substitutions proved beneficial and it showed on the scoreboard.

The Panther offense kicked into high gear netting three goals. Getting the Panther goal-fest started was made possible by freshman midfielder Erin Hills. Hills took a pass from Kappler 34 minutes into the game and pounded it in through traffic past Erin Iwaskiewicz, the Falcon goalkeeper.

Iwaskiewicz found herself under fire again 58 minutes into play when senior defender Jacqueline Fix threaded a perfect pass to an open Laura Marsh, who booted it in while much of the Lehigh defense could only watch.

With a 2-0 lead and the game clock winding down, senior midfielder Lauren Sciocchetti went fishing for her fourth goal in as many games. However, after her shot hit the crossbar, senior Kimberly Sturk knocked down the rebound from the pole and blasted it past Iwaskiewicz once again. Sciocchetti was credited for the helper and Sturk notched her first goal of the season.

Pitt dominated the contest in the shot department, taking 14 shots to Lehigh’s six. Pelusi had another stellar game in the net, saving five Falcon shots, and by doing so posted her second career shut out in net.

Coach Roland Sturk was pleased with the weekend efforts of the team.

“We played great and showed that we could win battles. Our intensity allowed us to play a complete game. I believe in the heart and cohesiveness of this team,” Sturk said.

The Panthers return to action this weekend when the team travels to Columbus, Ohio, to participate in the Ohio State Tournament. The team will return home for a game next Wednesday against West Virginia University with game time set for 7 p.m. at Founder’s Field.