University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Women's Soccer Claims 3-2 Win in Season Opener
8/25/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Women's Soccer Claims 3-2 Win in Season Opener
8/25/2000
PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh women's soccer team opened its 2000 season with a 3-2 victory over Air Force today at Morton Sports Complex in Upper St. Clair. Sophomore defender Jacqueline Fix (Monaca, Pa./Center) led the Panthers with two goals, including the game-winner.
The Falcons took a 1-0 lead at the 21:56 mark. Erika Palmer took an Air Force corner kick from Beth Boyer past Panther goalkeeper Rachel Brown (Burnley, England/St. Christopher). Almost 15 minutes later, Palmer was ejected from the game for a handball committed inside the box, forcing the Falcons to play one player short for the remainder of the game. Sophomore midfielder Katrina Shibata (Lakewood, Calif./Mayfair) then converted the penalty kick for Pittsburgh to tie the game at 1-1.
Fix gave the Panthers their first lead of the game with a break-away goal at the 43:42 mark, driving past the Falcons' last defender and sailing a shot out of the reach of keeper Kristy Kuhlman.
Boyer netted a short-handed goal for Air Force in the second half (50:48) to tie the game for the second time. But with just over 20 minutes remaining, Fix scored her second unassisted goal of the game, giving the Panthers the final lead.
Freshman forward Emily Tipton (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) led Pittsburgh with five shots on goal. Shibata was second with three. Brown, a junior transfer from Alabama, earned her first win as a Panther while recording four saves.
The Panthers (1-0) will return to action this Sunday, Aug. 27, when they host Richmond at the Morton Sports Complex. Game time is 1:30 p.m.
Scoring by Periods: 1st 2nd Final Pittsburgh 2 1 3 Air Force 1 1 2Scoring Summary: Erika Palmer (AF), 21:56 (Beth Boyer); Katrina Shibata (Pitt), 35:45 (penalty kick); Jacqueline Fix (Pitt), 43:42 (unassisted); Beth Boyer (AF), 50:08 (unassisted); Jacqueline Fix (Pitt), 69:24 (unassisted).
Penalty Summary: Rachel Brown (Pitt), 32:07 (Y); Erika Palmer (AF), 35:45 (R); Kate Hughes (Pitt), 42:58 (Y).
