Connect with us

Pitt Women's Soccer

Pitt Women Victorious Again, Beat NC State 2-1

Photo courtesy Pitt Athletics

After going two full seasons without a single win in ACC conference play in 2017 and 2018, the Pitt Women’s soccer team has turned it around in 2019 and managed two victories in 10 days, grinding out a 2-1 win at home against North Carolina State on Saturday night.

Although dominated in possession and outshot by the Wolfpack 25 to 5, the Panthers did just enough on offense in the first half to get themselves a 2-1 lead. In the second half, they did just enough on defense to keep NC State off the board and emerge with the victory. There were certainly moments when Pitt looked sure to concede, but Redshirt Junior Goalkeeper Amaia Pena absolutely stood on her head, recording 11 saves en route to the victory.

In their six seasons in the ACC, Pitt has never qualified for the Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Soccer Championship, but with their second win moving them up in the standings to 9th place, the Panthers find themselves within striking distance of a post-season berth for the first time since 2010. The top eight teams in the ACC qualify for the tourney.

The Pitt women will need to stay on their toes through the end of October if they want to be in the mix for the postseason. They will hit the road for the rest of this week, playing against bottom-of-the-table Wake Forest on October 24 and following that match up with a game at #9 Clemson on October 27. They return home for their final game of the regular season to face #20 Virginia Tech at home on October 31. They will likely need at least 4 points from those 3 games, and possibly 6, if they want to extend their soccer season into November.

For now, Pitt’s Women’s team has to be thrilled that they got another win against a highly touted ACC foe. In doing so, they rounded out quite a weekend for University of Pittsburgh sports teams, as the football and volleyball teams recorded big wins, and the Men’s Soccer team pulled off a massive road-upset against #1 ranked University of Virginia. Hail to Pitt, indeed.

Final Stats

Game Recap

(gratuitous selfie with my kid)

*ahead

 

Related Topics

Mark Asher Goodman is a writer for Pittsburgh Soccer Now, covering the Riverhounds, the Pitt Men's and Women's teams, and youth soccer. He also co-hosts a podcast on the Colorado Rapids called 'Holding the High Line with Rabbi and Red.' He has written in the past for the Washington Post, Denver Post, The Athletic, and American Soccer Analysis. When he's not reading, writing, watching, or coaching soccer, he is an actual rabbi. No, really. You can find him on twitter at @soccer_rabbi

Glory on the Grass

PSN’s Featured Community Partner: Open Field International

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

Subscribe to PGH Soccer Now

Enter your email address to subscribe to PGH Soccer Now and receive notifications of new posts by email.

More in Pitt Women's Soccer