Pitt
8-3-2, 2-2-1
Clemson
4-5-2, 0-4-0
Panthers Erupt for 4-1 Win Over Clemson
10/3/2024 8:59:00 PM | Women's Soccer
PITTSBURGH – Keera Melenhorst tallied a goal and an assist and Ellie Breech became the winningest goalie in program history as Pitt posted 4-1 win over Clemson Thursday evening at Ambrose Urbanic Field.
Pitt, ranked No. 15 in the Top Drawer Soccer Poll, improved to 8-3-2 overall and 2-2-1 in the ACC, while Clemson dipped to 4-5-2 and 0-4-0 in conference play.
Melenhorst opened scoring 9:58 in the match with rebound goal off a failed clear by the Clemson defense following a diving save by the keeper. Samiah Phiri had the first strike from the left wing to force the diving save and Melenhorst calmly collected the free ball just above the penalty spot and knocked home her fifth goal of the season.
Pitt extended the lead to 2-0 in the 28th minute as Ellie Coffield slotted a thru ball from just across midfield into Deborah Abiodun. Abiodun took the touch 25 yards out and drove into the box with a defender bearing down on before driving a left foot strike into the right side of the net for her first goal of the season.
Phiri added to the Panther lead with her eighth goals of the season at the 61:02 mark. Melenhorst played the senior forward into a 1v1 on the right side of the field and Phiri did the rest by working her way down the wing and beating a tackle attempt with a nice touch back to the middle before sliding the shot into the left corner of the net.
Clemson cut into the lead with its lone goal with just under eight minutes remaining. Christian Brathwaite took a feed from Jenna Tobia and worked her way free on the left end line before knocking in her third goal of the season.
Sarah Schupansky quickly countered at the 83:25 mark for the fourth and final goal of the night for the Panthers. Rylee Keeley had a nice flick header to beat a Clemson defender and Schupansky collected the pass and buried a left foot rocket from just inside the 18 for her sixth goal of the season.
Pitt held command of the game throughout posting a 19-11 advantage in shots and a 10-1 edge in shots on goal.
STREAK SNAPPING
Pitt snapped a nine-match winless streak against Clemson with the four goals the most scored by either team in the 10-game series history.
TOUGH D
Pitt allowed just one shot on goal as Katie Zailski and Coffield anchored a strong defense in front of Breech. Pitt has now allowed two or fewer shots on goal in each of the past six games.
BACK-TO-BACK FOR MELENHORST
Melenhorst found the back of the net for the second consecutive game and third time in ACC play. She now ranks third on the team with 15 points (5 goals, 5 assists).
BREECH SETS MARK
Breech became the winningest goalkeeper in program history securing her 23rd career win in goal for the Panthers. The Mechanicsburg, Pa, native now has 107 saves and 23 wins in 42 career games.
UP NEXT
The Panthers return to action in 10 days with a Sunday, Oct. 13 match with Syracuse at Ambrose Urbanic Field.
Team Stats
Keera Melenhorst (5)
GOAL by Pitt Melenhorst, Keera.
09:58
Deborah Abiodun (1)
Assisted By: Ellie Coffield
GOAL by Pitt Abiodun, Deborah Assist by Coffield, Ellie.
17:00
Samiah Phiri (8)
Assisted By: Keera Melenhorst
GOAL by Pitt Phiri, Samiah Assist by Melenhorst, Keera.
61:02
Christian Brathwaite (3)
Assisted By: Jenna Tobia
GOAL by CU Brathwaite, Christian Assist by Tobia, Jenna.
82:07
Sarah Schupansky (6)
Assisted By: Rylee Keeley
GOAL by Pitt Schupansky, Sarah Assist by Keeley, Rylee.
83:25
