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PREVIEW: Pitt (women) vs Clemson, 1:06 pm

Pitt (4-7-1, 0-5-0 ACC) vs Clemson (8-5-0, 3-2-0 ACC)

Sunday, October 7 – 1 pm

Ambrose Urbanic Field

LIVE FEED / LIVE STATS

The game will be the final in a week of #PittRetro games that saw both men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and football sport throwback uniforms.

THE MATCHUP

The Panthers enter Sunday’s action coming off a tough 3-2 loss to Miami Thursday evening in which the Panthers saw a 2-0 lead erased in the second half. Redshirt senior Ashley Moreira and sophomore Aideen O’Donoghue netted goals for the Panthers in the opening half as Pitt snapped a four-game scoring drought.

On the season, Anna Rico leads the offense with three goals, followed by O’Donoghue, Moreira and Madeline Gravante, who have each netted two apiece. Pitt has tallied 11 goals on the season as six different Panthers have found the back of the net.

The Panthers have seen a split in time at goalkeeper in recent games, as redshirt sophomore Amaia Pena and freshman Katherine Robinson compete for a starting role. On the season, Pena has seen the start in eight games, tallying 46 saves and a .730 save percentage. Robinson has made the start in four games, seeing action in six, tallying 22 saves and a .688 save percentage.

SCOUTING CLEMSON

Clemson is fresh off an upset victory over No. 10 Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla., as the Tigers downed the powerhouse Seminoles 1-0 Thursday evening. The win snapped a two-game losing skid and pushed the Tigers over the .500 mark in conference action.

The Tigers have been dominant on offense in the 2018 campaign, outscoring opponents 20-10 in 13 games. Both Miranda Weslake and Mariana Speckmaier have each scored six times on the season as eight Tigers have tallied at least one goal on the year.

Junior keeper Sandy Maciver has seen a majority of the time in net this season, tallying 828:49 minutes in nine games. Maciver has made 25 saves on the season and owns a 0.65 goals against average and .806 save percentage.

THE SERIES WITH CLEMSON

This will be the fourth all-time meeting between the two teams in a series dating back to the 2013 season when the Panthers joined the ACC. The Tigers own a 3-0-0 all-time advantage including a mark of 1-0 in Pittsburgh.

In the last meeting, the Tigers earned a 2-0 victory on their home turf. The last meeting in Pittsburgh saw a then 20th-ranked Clemson team capture a 2-1 win.

TOUGH BOUTS

Of the remaining five games on Pitt’s schedule, three will be against nationally-ranked teams. Of those three teams ranked nationally, all three rank in the top-15 and a pair check in in the top-10.

FRESHMEN FOOTING THE LOAD

First year players have made quite the impact for the Panthers in 2018, as the freshmen have tallied six of the team’s 11 goals this year. A pair of freshmen in Anna Rico (3) and Madeline Gravante (2) are two of only four Panthers to have tallied multiple goals on the season.

RPI WATCH

The Panthers check in at No. 117 in the most recent RPI rankings. Of Pitt’s remaining six games, four teams rank in the top 40 – Florida State (5), Virginia (17), Boston College (21) and Notre Dame (33).

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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