Pitt
Virginia Tech
Women's Soccer Opens ACC Play at Virginia Tech
9/15/2022 11:51:00 AM | Women's Soccer
THE MATCHUP
PITTSBURGH - The Pitt women's soccer team (7-1-0) opens the Atlantic Coast Conference portion of its 2022 schedule when it travels to Blacksburg, Va., to battle Virginia Tech (6-1-1) Friday at Thompson Field. First touch is scheduled for 5 p.m. The matchup will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra.
PANTHERS FINISH NON-CONFERENCE PLAY STRONG
Pitt prevailed in seven of its first eight games for the second year in a row to finish non-conference play strong. The Panthers went a perfect 4-0 at home in non-conference action, wrapping up that portion of its 2022 schedule with a 3-2 triumph over Liberty last Sunday at Ambrose Urbanic Field. After falling behind 1-0 in the 11th minute, Leah Pais delivered her second brace in three matches, scoring in the 30th and 38th minutes to give the Panthers a lead they never relinquished. Ellie Coffield added an insurance goal on a free kick in the 55th minute.
STARTING OUT HOT
With its 6-0 start to the 2022 campaign, the Panthers matched the 2020 Pitt squad for the best start to a season in program history. Pitt has come storming out of the gate each of the last three seasons, following up its 6-0 start in 2020 by rattling off five straight wins to begin the '21 regular season.
BUILDING THE PROGRAM
The Panthers are now 38-35-1 under the leadership of fifth-year head coach Randy Waldrum. After going 9-22-4 in the first two years of a massive rebuild, Pitt has gone 29-15 over the last two-plus seasons.
OFFENSIVE ONSLAUGHT
Pitt has outscored the opposition 29-6 so far in 2022. The Panthers rolled to a 7-0 victory over Kent State, marking the second time in as many seasons that Pitt has registered a 7-0 win, beating Saint Francis by the same score on Sept. 9, 2021. The victory over Kent State marked the third-straight season in which Pitt has scored seven goals in a game, with a 7-1 win over App State on Sept. 13, 2020, starting the streak. The Panthers have totaled at least six goals in a game five times and have won by at least five goals seven times in the last three years.
The Panthers currently rank second in NCAA Division I in total points (83) and are tied for first in total goals (29) and tied for second in scoring offense (3.62 points per game). Pitt is also tied for third in the country in total assists (25) and ranks fifth in both shots per game (23.12) and shots on goal per game (10.75).
FINDING BALANCE
The Panthers have seen 11 different players find the back of the net so far this season. Amanda West leads the way with six goals, with Leah Pais right behind her with five. All five of Pais' goals in 2022 have come over the last three games. Sarah Schupansky is third on the squad with four goals while Landy Mertz and Ellie Coffield are tied for fourth with three apiece. Emily Yaple and Fleming Dean have each cashed in twice. Ashton Gordon, Bri Hilsenteger, Samiah Phiri and Anna Bout have each found the back of the net once.
HOW MAY WE ASSIST?
Eleven different Panthers have distributed assists this season, with Anna Bout leading the way with five. Her 15 career assists are good for the fifth-most in program history. Amanda West, Sarah Schupansky, Leah Pais, Landy Mertz and Emily Yaple are all tied for second with three apiece. Samiah Phiri has accounted for two assists while Ellie Coffield, Ashton Gordon, Keera Melenhorst and Ashley Moon have all logged one helper.
SCOUTING VIRGINIA TECH
Pitt and Virginia Tech are set to meet for the ninth time, with the Panthers still in search of their first win over the Hokies as the hosts enter Friday's contest with a 7-0-1 advantage. The Panthers fell to the Hokies at home last year, 2-1, on Oct. 2, 2021. Pitt's last trip to Blacksburg resulted in a 2-0 setback on Oct. 4, 2020.
Virginia Tech is led by Charles "Chugger" Adair, who has been at the helm of the Hokies for 12 seasons and owns a record of 144-69-23. The Hokies have posted winnings records in 10 of his previous 11 seasons.
The Hokies were picked to finish ninth in the ACC's preseason head coaches poll. Virginia Tech went 6-1-1 in non-conference play, most recently knocking off Northern Colorado at home, 5-2, last Sunday.
Virginia Tech boasts a top-15 nationally ranked offensive attack, tied for 10th in total goals (23) while ranking 13th in total points (67). The Hokies are led by Tori Powell and Taylor Price, who are tied for fifth among ACC players with five goals apiece. Lauren Hargrove has started six of seven games in goal for Virginia Tech, making 19 saves and posting three shutouts.
UP NEXT
Pitt takes on Miami in its first ACC home game of the 2022 season next Thursday at Ambrose Urbanic Field. First touch is set for 6 p.m. The showdown will be televised live on ACC Network.
#H2P | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
