Women’s Soccer: Pitt set to open ACC schedule at home against Boston College

Tonight, the Pitt women’s soccer team (4-1-1) hosts the Boston College Eagles (3-2) at Ambrose Urbanic Field in the Petersen Sports Complex. The game will mark the fifth time the schools have faced each other but only the first time that the two schools have ever met in a conference game.

Matchup History 

Boston College leads the all-time series 5-0 and has outscored Pitt by a stark 12-2 margin in those games. The last meeting between the teams took place in 2004, almost 10 years ago, when the Eagles defeated the Panthers 4-1. 

Pitt thus far

Pitt enters tonight’s contest with an overall record of 4-1-1 and is undefeated in three matches at Ambrose Urbanic Field. 

So far this season, the Panthers have defeated Duquesne (1-0), Bucknell (3-0), Central Michigan (1-0) and Toledo (1-0). The Panthers tied Robert Morris on the road, 1-1, but fell to Ohio State 2-0. 

The Panthers have yet to allow a goal at home this season, outscoring their opponents 5-0. Pitt goalie Nicole D’Agostino has accomplished four shutouts so far this year and allowed just three goals in six starts. 

Boston College thus far

The Eagles have been  inconsistent this season. Their biggest win of the season thus far came last weekend when the Eagles defeated Ohio State, 1-0, thanks to a late goal off a corner kick. 

Although the win against Ohio State improved the team’s record to 3-2, the team has had some head-scratching moments this season — the most notable being a 1-0 loss to former Big East member UConn. 

In the first game of the season, however, the Eagles showed streaks of brilliance: The team took the No. 2-ranked Stanford Cardinal to double overtime before losing 2-1. 

Key Player: Stephanie McCaffrey 

The 5-foot-6 junior from Winchester, Mass., had a career day last week against Hofstra. The forward scored two goals and collected four assists in the 6-5 overtime victory. This season, McCaffrey has scored or assisted on all of Boston College’s goals, except for one. 

Last season, as a sophomore, McCaffrey was named Second-Team All-ACC and tallied 10 goals — including three game-winners — and seven assists. This preseason, McCaffrey was named to the College Sports Madness women’s soccer preseason All-Conference Second Team.