Women’s Soccer Starts ACC Action with Decisive Win at Virginia Tech

Friday, September 16

Blacksburg, VA

5:00 PM

Pitt

8-1-0, 1-0-0

Virginia Tech

6-2-1, 0-1-0

Pittsburgh

Virginia Tech

Women’s Soccer Starts ACC Action with Decisive Win at Virginia Tech

9/16/2022 7:27:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Gamebook (PDF)

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Pitt women's soccer team (8-1-0, 1-0-0 ACC) got off to a solid start to Atlantic Coast Conference play, recording a decisive 4-1 road victory over Virginia Tech (6-2-1, 0-1-0 ACC) Friday at Thompson Field.

"Extremely proud of this team as they just continue to get better," head coach Randy Waldrum said. "We scored four great goals today, both in our build up and set pieces."

Pitt's eight victories in its first nine games marks the best start to a season in program history. The Panthers picked up their first-ever win over the Hokies and have started ACC play with a win for just the second time in program history as a pair of late first-half goals proved to be the difference.

"They (Virginia Tech) have been a nemesis the past couple of years so it was great to finally get a convincing win on the road," Waldrum said.

Landy Mertz put the Panthers on the board quickly, giving a Pitt a 1-0 lead with her fourth goal of the year in the fourth minute by scoring from bottom center of goal off her right foot, with Sarah Schupansky providing the assist.

Pitt maintained its one-goal lead thanks to a great save by Caitlyn Lazzarini on a good scoring opportunity for Virginia Tech's Tori Powell in the 21^st minute.

The late stage of the first half saw a flurry of goals and when the dust settled Pitt held a 3-1 advantage going into the break.

Emmalee McCarter tied the game for the Hokies as she scored on a penalty kick in the 40^th minute.

The tie score was short lived, though, as freshman Katie Zailski delivered her first collegiate goal for the Panthers less than a minute later. She scored from bottom right of goal, with Ellie Coffield assisting. Pitt's lead then swelled to 3-1 just over a minute later as Mackenzie Evers netted her first of the year from bottom left of goal. Leah Pais was credited with the assist.

"It was great to see Katie Zailski get her first collegiate goal at such an important time," Waldrum said. "It was a great response to their penalty kick goal. Then to see Mackenzie Evers come on and score in a way that (associate head coach) Ben (Waldrum) has been working with her on was amazing, too."

The connection of Pittsburgh natives Schupansky and Mertz delivered again for Pitt in the 48^th minute as Schupansky scored from top right of goal off her left foot with Mertz assisting.

That was all the scoring the Panthers needed as Pitt blanked Virginia Tech over the final 42 minutes.

Virginia Tech outshot Pitt, 19-15, but the Panthers held a decisive 12-4 advantage in shots on goal.

Mertz led Pitt with four shots, including a game-high three on goal. Both of Coffield's shots were on goal while Pais totaled three shots off the bench, with two coming on goal. Lazzarini finished with three saves.

"I thought it was a good overall performance, and we controlled the game the way we wanted and handled their counterattacks and long service well," Waldrum said.

For Virginia Tech, Natalie Mitchell compiled a game-high five shots and was one of five Hokies with multiple shots. Lauren Hargrove made a game-high eight saves but gave up all four goals.
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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.

PITT NOTES

Pitt is now 39-35-1 under the leadership of fifth-year head Randy Waldrum. After going 9-22-4 in the first two years of a massive rebuild, Pitt has gone 30-15 over the last two-plus seasons.
Landy Mertz has now compiled 29 points during her Panther career with nine goals and 11 assists.
Sarah Schupansky scored her 12^th career goal and dished out her 10^th career assist, giving her 34 career points in less than two full seasons at Pitt.
Mackenzie Evers scored her second career goal.
With her ninth assist as a Panther, Leah Pais has now totaled 37 points in her Pitt career.
Ellie Coffield recorded her second assist of the season and seventh of her career, upping her career point total to 17.
Caitlyn Lazzarini is now 16-7-0 in goal in her career and has made 75 career saves, with 25 coming this season.