University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Syracuse
Syracuse, Pitt Women's Soccer Play to 1-1 Tie
10/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 10, 2010
Syracuse, N.Y. - In its final road game of the season, the Pitt women's soccer team played to a 1-1 tie with Syracuse. The Panthers record now stands at 4-9-2 and 1-5-1 in the Big East.
With less than two minutes remaining and the Panthers leading 1-0, the Orange rallied to tie the game in the 88th minute, sending the game into overtime. The game ended at 1-1 after neither team scored in two overtime periods of play.
The Panthers were looking to make up some ground in the Big East standings, with only four contests remaining after Sunday, and all of them to be played on Pitt's home field.
Pitt entered the game three points behind Syracuse in the American division. A win would have put the Panthers in a tie with Syracuse, but the tie keeps them three points back of Syracuse and five points behind Providence and USF who sit fourth and fifth in the division.
"This was a game where we really felt that we needed to get three points," Head Coach Sue-Moy Chin said after the game. "We sat back a little too much at the end and Syracuse made us pay."
The Panthers came out strong in the first half, thanks in part to three saves by goalkeeper Morie Kephart in the first eight minutes. Pitt then went on the offensive, pressuring the Orange in their zone.
In the 14th minute, Katelyn Ruhe found Klarissa Ames open in the box and the junior connected on a shot into the left corner of the goal. For Ames, the goal was the first of her season and second career tally as a Panther.
"Klarissa really gave us a spark on Friday night and we thought she deserved the start today," Chin added. "She took a week side ball and placed it perfectly in the low far side corner. It was nice to build off of a strong start that Morie gave us."
Pitt took a 1-0 lead at half, registering all four shot attempts on goal.
In the second half, it was Syracuse who dictated play, consistently putting pressure on the Pitt side of play.
In the 81st minute, the Orange came inches away from tying the game, but a header attempt on a corner kick hit off the post.
With less than two minutes remaining, Syracuse was finally able to put a ball past Kephart, when Jenna Ricken took a pass from Tina Romagnuolo and fired the ball into the net.
The Panthers weren't able to reset in position on a throw in by the Orange and Ricken was able to get a wide open shot as a result.
The Orange outshot the Panthers 11-2 in the second half.
The first overtime belonged to the Panthers, as they registered three shots on goal and had four consecutive corner kicks.
"I thought we had some real good chances in the first overtime, but we simply couldn't finish it off," said Chin.
In the second overtime, neither team was able to put a ball on goal despite both teams having opportunities.
Pitt now returns home, where it will finish Big East regular season play with four home contests. Up first for the Panthers will be Georgetown on Friday, Oct. 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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