Women’s Soccer: Team set to face tough Clemson squad

The Pitt women’s soccer team is scheduled to face off against the Clemson Tigers tonight at Riggs Field in the first ACC road game for the Panthers — just their second trip outside of Pittsburgh this season. 

The match will also mark the first time the two schools have ever faced off in women’s soccer.

Pitt’s season thus far

Pitt enters tonight’s contest with an overall record of 4-3-1 and an ACC record of 0-2. So far this season, the Panthers have defeated Duquesne (1-0), Bucknell (3-0), Central Michigan (1-0) and Toledo (1-0). The lone tie of the season came against cross-town rival Robert Morris on the road. 

The Panthers fell to Boston College, Ohio State and North Carolina for their three losses. In those three games, opponents outscored the Panthers 6-0.

Pitt goalie Nicole D’Agostino has been solid this season for the Panthers. The junior goalkeeper has recorded four shutouts so far this year and allowed just six goals in seven games. 

The Panthers are led on offense by Roosa Arvas, who has tallied a pair of goals and two assists this season.

Clemson thus far

The Clemson Tigers come into the matchup with an overall record of 3-2-2. In conference play, the Tigers are 1-1, thanks in large part to last weekend’s 2-1 victory over the Boston College Eagles. 

In its other conference game this season, Clemson fell to Maryland 2-1 in overtime. The Tigers have played extremely well against top opponents: The team tied Auburn and South Florida and lost by one goal to No. 19 South Carolina. 

The Tigers have received great goaltending out of freshman starter Kailen Sheridan. This season, Sheridan has earned three shutouts and compiled a goals-against average of 0.8. 

Offensively the Tigers have been paced by another freshman — Catrina Atanda. Atanda has four goals this season, including a pair of game-winners. 

Player to watch

In order for the Panthers to have success against a tough Clemson team, they must be able to shut down Atanda. Atanda was named a “player to watch” by Top Drawer Soccer this season and was selected to attend the U-17 U.S. Women’s National Team camp in 2011. 

Atanda was also a member of the U-17 National Team pool in 2012 and earned a spot at the Elite Clubs National League and id2 National Training Camp in 2012. 

In high school, Atanda won a New Jersey state title in 2012, and she was named the Most Valuable Player of her high school team in 2010. If the Panthers want to be able to hold the Tigers off the scoreboard, they’re going to have to keep the shifty Atanda at bay.