Pitt
Louisville
Women's Soccer Shuts Out Louisville 2-0
10/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 1, 2010
Louisville, Ky - The Pitt women's soccer team picked up its first Big East win of the season, defeating Louisville 2-0 on Friday night. The Panthers improve to 4-7-1 and 1-3-0 in the Big East.
Despite being outshot 18-13 in the contest, the Panthers took advantage of their opportunities and were helped by a stellar performance in goal by Morie Kephart.
Kephart made five saves to earn the shutout while Liz Carroll and Christina Nicassio provided the goals for the Panthers. The Cardinals fell for only the third time this season in 12 games.
"Our girls fought really hard tonight against a very good Louisville team," Pitt Head Coach Sue-Moy Chin said. "I thought Morie had a fantastic game, as did the entire defense."
In the first half, Louisville sent a barrage of shots towards the Pitt goal, but was stifled by Kephart and a strong Pitt defense.
In the 29th minute, Louisville forward Christine Exeter came in on a breakaway, but Kephart came out to challenge her and Pitt defender Katelyn Lippert made the team save to keep the Cardinals off the board.
In the 34th minute, the Cardinals were called for a handball inside the box after a Lippert corner kick. The Panthers were awarded a penalty kick and Carroll buried the shot to give Pitt a 1-0 lead.
Louisville outshot Pitt 13-6 in the first half, but the Panthers weathered the storm and were able to take a 1-0 lead at halftime.
"I thought our defense did a good job in keeping Louisville scoreless in the first half," added Chin. "I think we were able to build off of that in the second half."
The Panthers did exactly that, as Nicassio gave Pitt a 2-0 lead in the 54th minute.
Pitt midfielder Katelyn Ruhe started the play, when she dribbled through the midfield and sent a pass up to sophomore Abby Baldys. Baldys was then able to make a short cross from the left side to find Nicassio, who fired the shot into the goal from four yards out.
Pitt's defense held Louisville to only one shot on goal in the second half to pick up the victory.
Pitt will travel to Cincinnati on Sunday, where the Panthers will face off against the Bearcats. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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