Pitt
Bowling Green
Women's Soccer Blanks Bowling Green to Conclude Preseason
8/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh women's soccer team wrapped up its exhibition schedule with a 1-0 shutout of Bowling Green at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Saturday thanks to a goal from freshman Juliana Vazquez.
"I think we recognized pretty early that [Bowling Green] was trying to build out of the back," said head coach Greg Miller. "We encouraged our players to press higher and really get into them a little bit. If a team is trying to do a certain thing and we can pounce on that without cues from the coaching staff, we'll be in better shape."
Vazquez recorded the game's lone goal in the ninth minute of play. Receiving the ball from fellow freshman Sarah Krause around 18 feet from the goal, Vazquez fired the ball inside the far post to beat goalkeeper Lauren Cadel.
Pitt overwhelmingly controlled possession in both halves, out-shooting Bowling Green 17-to-2. The Panthers did not allow any shots in the game's first half and the Falcons managed no shots on goal on the evening.
Vazquez would get two more excellent opportunities to score in the game's second stanza but Cadel this time got the upper hand with two consecutive saves from point-blank range. Sophomore Hanna Hannesdottir then launched a volley from 20 feet out which sailed just high. Hannesdottir and Vazquez led the team with four shots apiece.
Seven Panthers recorded a shot in the game, of which five recorded two or more.
"I expect us to be sharper than we were in these two scrimmages in all phases of the game," said Miller. "Hopefully we can be a more complete team going into the first game."
The team will return to action next weekend when it officially opens the 2015 regular season on Friday, August 21, vs. St. Francis (Pa.) in the Steel City Classic hosted by Duquesne. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.
