Women's Soccer Defeats St. Francis(PA) 1-0
10/19/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Women's Soccer Defeats St. Francis(PA) 1-0
10/19/2004
PITTSBURGH--- Goalkeeper Jamie Pelusi ties the women?s soccer record for most shutouts in one season when the women?s soccer team defeated St. Francis (PA) at home by a score of 1-0 in the non-conference game. The shutout was the fifth for Pelusi this season. Pittsburgh?s record following the game is 6-7-1, overall and 2-4-1 in the Big East.
The majority of the Panthers play in the first half was their offensive end. Great offensive play was contributed by all members of the team. In the midfield Erin Hills, Jen DeLaHoz, Erin McFarling and Corina Sebesta worked hard to keep the ball out of the defensive end, while still attacking at every chance that had. Forwards Cara Senger and Kristina Francois played well together to open up opportunities in the offensive end.
The Panthers? perfect opportunity came in the form of a restart outside of the penalty box, close to the sidelines. Senger was tripped by a St. Francis player and was awarded an indirect kick. Hills took the kick, placing the ball in the air on the far side of the goal, where Sebesta was able to get a head on it. Sebesta?s headed ball traveled back to the other side of the goal where Francois was able to one-time volley the ball into the back of the net.
Later in the half Senger found herself in a breakaway, but was the play was broken up by St. Francis goalkeeper Melanie Stockman. The rebound from Stockman?s save traveled right to the feet of Francois whose shot hit the post.
The Red Flash had an opportunity to even the score off of a restart outside of the Pittsburgh penalty box. The ball was put into play and found Liz Ostander?s head; however, the Red Flash were not able to get the ball past goalkeeper Jamie Pelusi.
Pittsburgh?s defense, Toni Koram, Aimee Romasco, Katie Surma and Carli Brill were able to keep the Red Flash limited to two shots in the first half of play.
In the second half of play neither team was able to find the back of the net. Pittsburgh had many opportunities to score again, but could not get into the goal.
Pittsburgh had seventeen shots in the game, nine in the first half and eight in the second. Pelusi made three saves in the game and claimed her fifth shutout of the season. Pelusi is now tied with Nicole Bashor for the most shutouts in one season. The record was set by Bashor in 1997 with five shutouts. Pelusi has three more games left in the regular season to try and beat the record.
The Panthers are back in action this weekend as they take on Connecticut in Storrs, Conn. at 7p.m. The next time to see the women?s soccer team at home is Sunday at 1 p.m. against Villanova.
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