Women's Soccer to Open Big East Play Thursday
9/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 15, 2010
PITTSBURGH-- The Pitt women's soccer team will begin conference play on Thursday, Sept. 16, on the road against rival West Virginia. The Panthers will play 11 conference matches, including five at home and six on the road.
Following a 3-3-5 Big East record last season, Pitt looks to improve in an always competitive conference. In the latest rankings, four Big East teams are ranked in the top-25 nationally. The Mountaineers were ranked in the preseason top-25 and are picked to finish third in the Big East.
"The Big East is always a top conference that brings forth some of the best talent college soccer has to offer," Head Coach Sue-Moy Chin said. "Every game will be a battle so it's very important for our team to approach things one game at a time. Our first game is at West Virginia so that's what we're focusing on right now."
After facing West Virginia, the Panthers will play at USF before returning home to take on Marquette in their conference home opener.
The regular season will end with a home matchup against Connecticut in a game that will mark the end of an era at Founders Field in Indianola, Pa. Starting next season, the Panthers will play in the brand-new, state of the art, Petersen Sports Complex, located on campus.
Others have noticed Pitt's talent and potential for success. Last season, the Panthers were the only conference team that Notre Dame was not able to defeat.
"If Pitt can fulfill its potential, the Panthers can make a surprise title run in 2010," said Amrit Naresh, a contributor for Top Drawer Soccer.
The Big East is comprised of 16 teams, split up into two divisions: American and National. Competing in the American division, the Panthers divisional opponents include Connecticut, Marquette, Providence, South Florida, St. John's, Syracuse and West Virginia.
The Panthers will also play three teams in the National division: Georgetown, Louisville and Villanova.
-30-