Women's Soccer Advances to BIG EAST Championship
10/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 28, 2008
PITTSBURGH —The Pitt women's soccer team (7-11-1, 4-6-1) will make its third postseason appearance over the last four seasons when it travels to Louisville on Thursday for the first round of the 2008 BIG EAST Championship. The Panthers clinched fifth place in the American Division to earn their first tournament berth since 2006. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. at the Cardinal Park Soccer and Track Stadium.
The appearance will be Head Coach Sue-Moy Chin's third time leading Pitt into postseason play.
Thursday's game marks just the third meeting between the two programs, with Louisville holding a 2-0-0 series advantage. The Cardinals enter the contest ranked fourth in the National Division and boast a record of 8-6-3 overall and 6-3-2 in conference play.
A BIG EAST Honor Roll selection for the week of Oct. 20, junior Ashley Habbel led Pitt's offensive production throughout the regular season, tallying a team-high 13 points, six goals and three game-winning goals. Habbel also ranks tied for 10th place among BIG EAST scoring leaders this season. The forward now is second on Pitt's all-time lists for scoring (17) and points (40).
Midfielder Jennifer Kritch has recorded two assists to top the school's leader board. The senior registered Pitt's first goal against then No. 19 ranked Georgetown on Oct. 19 en route to being named to the Soccer Buzz's national Elite Team of the Week. The accolade marked the first time a Pitt player had been selected to the 15-player squad. With 34 points, Kritch is tied as Pitt's all-time third highest point scorer.
Freshman Katelyn Ruhe has totaled 38 shots to lead the Panthers. With her five goals, Ruhe also ranks second among Pitt's scoring leaders this season.
On defense, senior Kylie Veverka and sophomore Kat Weiler have recorded the most playing time. Weiler has one goal and two assists on the year.
Pitt's backfield likely will be anchored by sophomore goalkeeper Morie Kephart who notched her fourth shutout of the season against South Florida on Oct. 24. Kephart averaged 3.58 saves per game with 68 stops during the regular season.
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