VCU Hands Women's Soccer 1-0 Defeat

Friday, September 12

Pittsburgh, Pa.

7:00 PM

Pitt

4-4-0

VCU

2-3-2

VCU

Pittsburgh

VCU Hands Women's Soccer 1-0 Defeat

9/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 12, 2014

Box Score

PITTSBURGH--VCU scored a goal in the 21^st minute off a corner kick, then fended off a late Pitt comeback attempt to register a 1-0 women's soccer win Friday evening at Ambrose Urbanic Field. The loss drops Pitt to 4-4-0 overall, while VCU improves to 2-3-2. 

Sharon Wojcik headed in a corner kick from Abby Ritter in the 21^st minute to give the Rams a 1-0 lead. Pitt rallied back late in the second half with multiple scoring opportunities. The Panthers fired shot after shot in the game's final 15 minutes, but could not find the back of the net. 

"VCU capitalized on a set piece," Pitt coach Greg Miller said. "Those moments come down to one vs. one battles and we didn't take enough pride in that moment to defend it well enough. Hats off to VCU. We allow teams to be more physical than us and outwork us. We let VCU control the tempo and outwork us. We started to have some fight as the half went on, then in the last 15 minutes of the game, we started to play like we should've played at the beginning." 

In the game's final 25 minutes, Pitt began to control possession, win 50-50 balls and create scoring opportunities. The Panthers created two corner kick opportunities. Freshman Hanna Hannesdottir had a shot that went wide left of the goal, followed by a shot by freshman Taylor Pryce that sailed left. 

"I don't why we started to play in the last 25-30 minutes, but it made it exciting and unfortunately we ran out of time," Miller said. "Going into ACC play, we've got to come out and play right from the start. Now, we have a couple of days off, hopefully we can regroup and get ready to play Duke." 

VCU outshot Pitt 15-7 and took six corner kicks to the Panthers' three. Pryce led Pitt with four shots, followed by Hannesdottir's two. Pitt goalkeeper Taylor Francis made four saves in the contest. VCU goalkeeper Emma Kruse finished with two saves. 

The match concludes non-conference play for the Panthers. Pitt is back in action on Friday, Sept. 19 when it begins ACC competition against Duke at Ambrose Urbanic Field. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

--PITT--