from University of Pittsburgh Athletic Department report
Head coach Randy Waldrum has announced his inaugural schedule for the 2018 University of Pittsburgh women’s soccer season.
And for the Panthers — it will be the usual grind against ACC competition — and some tough out-of-conference opposition.
The Panthers will take part in 18 regular season games in 2018, including 11 home matches, in addition to a pair of exhibition contests. The regular season will see five meetings with teams ranked in the top 25 at the conclusion of the 2017, including three in the top 15 and two in the top 10. The Panthers are set to face off against 12 teams in the top 75 of last season’s final RPI rankings.
Pitt will open the year with a pair of exhibition contests, taking on Fairleigh Dickinson at Ambrose Urbanic Field at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9 before a meeting with powerhouse Ohio State on Aug. 12 in Columbus at 2 p.m.
The regular season gets underway Aug. 17 as Pitt will play three straight at home, opening things up with a 1 p.m. meeting with Morehead State. Regional foe Kent State will visit Aug. 24 at 5 p.m. before the homestand comes to a close against Cincinnati Aug. 26 at 1 p.m.
The Panthers will hit the road for a Texas road trip the following week, traveling to TCU Aug 30 at 8 p.m. (EST) before meeting North Texas Sept. 2 at 1 p.m. (EST).
Pitt returns to Ambrose Urbanic to conclude non-conference action, hosting city rival Duquesne Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. and Kansas Sept. 9 at 1 p.m.
ACC play gets underway at home against Louisville Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. before three straight road contests in league play. National powerhouse North Carolina welcomes the Panthers Sept. 20 at 7 p.m., before Pitt heads to NC State Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. The road swing will come to an end Sept. 29 in a 7 p.m. meeting with Virginia Tech.
Pitt hosts Miami Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. and follows that up with a 1 p.m. matchup with Clemson on Oct. 7, both at Ambrose Urbanic Field. The Panthers will travel to perennial power Virginia for a 2 p.m. battle on Oct. 14 before two straight ACC games conclude the home portion of the regular season. The Panthers will host Florida State Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. and Notre Dame Oct. 21 at 1 p.m.
The regular season comes to an end Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. as the Panthers travel to Chestnut Hills, Mass., to take on Boston College.
Postseason play is set to begin in the quarterfinals of the ACC Championship Oct. 28 at campus sites based on seeding. The semifinals and championship game will take place Nov. 2 and 4, respectively, at WakeMed Soccer Park on the campus of NC State.