Abiodun Brace Leads Pitt to 3-0 Win Over Syracuse

Sunday, October 13

Pittsburgh, PA

1:30 PM

Pitt

9-3-2, 3-2-1

Syracuse

6-8-1, 0-7-0

Syracuse

Pitt

Abiodun Brace Leads Pitt to 3-0 Win Over Syracuse

10/13/2024 4:35:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

PITTSBURGH – Pit scored three goals in the final 15 minutes of play and finished with a 37-3 shot advantage en route to a 3-0 win over Syracuse Sunday afternoon at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

Sophomore Deborah Abiodun scored the Panthers first two goals in a six-minute span and Ellie Coffield capped the scoring in the 86^th-minute as Pitt improved to 9-3-2 overall and 3-2-1 in ACC play.

Schupansky assisted on Pitt's first and last goal to run her season total to an NCAA leading and school single-season record 15 assists.

Syracuse goalie Shae Vanderbosch kept the Orange in the game with an outstanding effort in net. She finished with 14 saves and held Pitt at bay for 75 minutes of action.

OPENING HALF ACTION

Samiah Phiri header in the 16^th minute ricochetted off back of Deborah Abiodun's head and popped over the goal in the first dangerous scoring opportunity of the day.
Schupansky cross in the 21^st minutes slid just over the top of Abiodun's lunging header and Syracuse keeper dove on the loose ball to keep the Panthers off the scoreboard.
In the 30^th minute, Abiodun made a nice move to beat a Syracuse defender at the left edge of the box along the end line. She worked her way through the defense and ripped a shot off the keeper from just outside the six.
Pitt controlled the run of play in the opening half with a 12-1 advantage in shots and the bulk of their possession coming on the attack.

SECOND HALF ACTION

Syracuse nearly struck first with just under 35 minutes remaining at Anna Croyle found a header off the Orange's first corner of the contest. Her attempt from 10-yards out went just over the crossbar for a goal kick.
Keera Melenhorst drew a free kick at the top of the box. Coffield's shot was heading under 90 of the right corner before Shae Vanderbosch made a leaping punch to push it over the bar for another Pitt corner.
Pitt continued to pressure the Syracuse defense with long crosses generating dangerous scoring chances. Coffield sent a cross into Katie Zailski with 15:20 remaining and her one-time strike forced another diving punch save by Vanderbosch.
On the ensuing corner, Pitt broke the deadlock at the 75:04 mark as Abiodun rose over the Syracuse defense to bang home a header off a feed from Schupansky.
Schupansky hit the cross bar with just under 13 minutes remaining after a nice turn and strike the top of the box.
Abiodun secured the brace at the 80:58 mark as Schupansky's corner bounded off the near post to Abiodun just inside the penalty mark. After grounding an initial shot attempt, she poked a shot into the right side of the net for a 2-0 advantage.
Pitt tacked on the third goal at the 85:01 mark with a nice passing sequence. Coffield fed Phiri at the top of the box from just inside midfield and Schupansky pulled the set from Phiri across the face of the box before sliding a pass to a charging Coffield. The Mars, Pa., native took a touch before blasting home her second goal of the season and helping Schupansky secure the single-season assists record.

RECORD SETTER

Schupansky continues to add her name atop the Pitt record books and now holds the school record for single season assists (15) and career assists (43). She started her 74th career game tied for third most in program history and now has 105 career points (2^nd at Pitt).

SHOOTERS GOING TO SHOOT

Pitt finished with 37 shots including 17 shots on goal, marking the third time this season it has posted 35 or more shots. 12 different attempted a shot in the game with nine different players recording a shot on goal. Schupansky had a team-high eight shots, while Abiodun finished with six.

SECOND HALF BARRAGE

Pitt recorded 25 of its 37 shots in the second half. The Panthers had several opportunities to break open the game thwarted by the strong play Vanderbosch. The Panthers had 11 shots in the a 15-minute span just before its first goal of the game.

UP NEXT

The Panthers travel to Florida for a pair of key ACC matchups next week beginning at Miami Thursday, Oct. 17 ( 7 p.m.). Pitt will also place at No. 22 Florida State Sunday, Oct. 20.