Women's Soccer to Host Louisville Thursday on ESPN3
10/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
| Louisville (6-7-2, 2-3-2 ACC) at Pitt (6-9-0, 2-5-0 ACC) | | ||
| Date | Thursday, October 23 at 7 p.m. (ET) | ||
| Location | Ambrose Urbanic Field (1,000/Turf) / Pittsburgh, Pa. | ||
| Television | ESPN3.com | ||
| Radio | N/A. | ||
| Online | Live Stream on Panthers All-Access | Gametracker | ||
| Game Notes / Stats | Notes | Stats | Media Guide | Louisville Info | ||
| Promotions | Fan Appreciation Night | ||
| Social Media | @PittWSoccer- Twitter / Facebook |
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GAME PREVIEW
PITTSBURGH--Pitt (6-9-0, 2-5-0 ACC) plays its second of three consecutive home matches when it hosts first-year ACC member Louisville (6-7-2, 2-3-2 ACC) on Thursday, October 23. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET at Ambrose Urbanic Field. The match is dubbed "Fan Appreciation Night."
Pitt is in its 19th all-time season of women's soccer and its third under head coach Greg Miller.
PITT'S Roosa Arvas, Taylor Francis LEAD ACC IN RESPECTIVE STATISTICS
Junior Roosa Arvas and sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Francis lead the ACC in game-winning goals (five) and saves (94) respectively. Arvas ranks among league leaders in several other statistical categories including goals (4th with 9), goals per game (5th at 0.60), points (8th, 20) and points per game (8th at 1.33). In addition, Francis ranks among league leaders in saves per game (2nd, 6.27), save percentage (4th, .832) and shutouts (7th, 4).
ARVAS APPROACHING PITT SCHOOL RECORDS
One of the ACC's top scorers and point producers, junior Roosa Arvas is steadily approaching a variety of career and season school records. With three games remaining, Arvas leads the Panthers in scoring (nine goals), points (20) and game-winning goals (five). She already has tied the school record for most game-winning goals in a season (5, Ashley Cuba, 2009) and needs just one more goal to tie the school record for season goals (10 by Cande Ruiz in 1998). She needs just six points to tie the school's season record for points (26, Cande Ruiz, 1998).
With a full 2015 season remaining, Arvas has already totaled 14 goals and 13 assists for 41 career points. Her 41 career points rank fourth in school history (record is 51 by Ashley Cuba, 2009-12). Her 14 career goals rank fifth in school history (school-record is 23 by Ashley Cuba, 2009-12) and she needs one more game-winning goal to tie the record of nine set by Ashley Habbel, 2006-09.
PANTHERS PROGRAM ON THE RISE
Earlier this season, Pitt won back-to-back ACC matches for the first time in program history as the Panthers defeated both Syracuse (1-0) and North Carolina State (3-0) on the road. The Panthers feature one of the nation's youngest rosters with 23 of their 28 players who are either freshmen or sophomores. Next year, Pitt will return 25 of its 28 players. Only three players: seniors Alex Charlebois, Jackie Poucel and Riliegh McHugh will not return.
FRANCIS TIES SCHOOL RECORD FOR SAVES
With her career-high 16-save performance vs. No. 2 Florida State, Taylor Francis tied the school record for most saves in a match. Her 16-save performance ranked as the 10th highest save total this season in NCAA Division I women's soccer. Southern Miss' Brittany Taylor registered 21 saves vs. Louisiana Tech on Oct. 18, 2014.
PITT TEAM NOTES
• Twenty-three individuals on Pitt's 28-player roster are either sophomores or freshmen. With just three seniors, two juniors, 11 sophomores and 12 freshmen, Pitt is one of NCAA Division I's youngest women's soccer teams.
• Pitt's 12-player freshman class was ranked among the nation's top recruiting classes. The group, which has representatives from Ontario, Canada (5), California (2), Pennsylvania (2), Ohio (1), Virginia (1) and Colorado (1), includes athletes who will play key roles immediately. The group includes forwards Malea Fabean, Taylor Pryce, Megan Giannopoulos and Alex Reckas, midfielders Shaina Ashouri, Jo Fischer, Hanna Hannesdottir, Ashley Moreira and Emma Pozzulo and defenders Courtney Coate and Seyla Perez, along with goalkeeper Margot Shore.
• Senior Jackie Poucel and sophomore Siobhan McDonough are serving as team captains.
• Pitt coach Greg Miller is in his third season at Pitt. He was named the school's third head women's soccer coach on January 1, 2012. Prior to Pittsburgh, Miller spent 11 seasons as the Associate Head Coach at Ohio State, where he helped lead the Buckeyes to three Big Ten Championships and seven NCAA Tournament appearances.
PITT PERSONALITY PROFILES
19 • Emily Pietrangelo
What is the best thing about Pitt?
Academically excellent university, proximity to home allows my family to watch me play often and Pitt offers that urban/downtown university feel but in a community setting.
What is the best thing about playing on the Pitt women's soccer team?
I can brag about having 27 unique sisters.
What do you have in your backpack right now?
Spiderman keychain and BCAA recovery shake.
What is your major?
Rehabilitation science because I want to do something medical- perhaps orthopedics or sports medicine.
If you could play another sport besides soccer which would it be? Why?
Hockey- being Canadian it's my first love.
Last book you read? Fifty Shades of Grey.
What was the first job you ever had?
I was a fit model for a company in Canada called Siblings.
Favorite thing to do on campus?
Make my own salad at Hello Bistro.
What do you do in your free time? Hobbies?
I bake cookies, cakes, make frosting.
18 • Arielle Fernandez
What attracted you to play soccer at the University of Pittsburgh?
The coaches' social ability/personality to connect with players.
What is the best thing about playing on the Pitt women's soccer team?
Building close friendships and traveling with the team.
What is your favorite movie? Why? Tarzan
If you had a theme song, what would it be? Why?
Beamer, Benz, and Bentley because I'm Fresh and I'm fly, I'm calm, I'm cool, when i go thru.
If you had any superpower, what would you chose and why?
Time travel.
Who is your loudest teammate? Jaci Brown.
Favorite postgame snack or meal? Qdoba.
What jersey number do you wear and why?
18...its a change from my past, and it looks cool.
Favorite sports figure? Why?
Jackie Chan because he does many different types of karate which I want to eventually learn in my lifetime, he's an actor, disciplined, and overall verysuccessful.
20 • Jessica Marini
Which teammate of yours is the best dancer?
Emma Pozzulo.
If you could play another sport besides soccer which would it be? Why? Gymnastics.
What is your favorite movie? Why?
Despicable Me because I love minions.
Favorite TV show or TV character? Why?
Jess from New Girl because she is hilarious.
How many siblings do you have? Younger or older? Do they play soccer, too?
I have two brothers, one older and one younger and both play soccer.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? Why?
Minion Banana Song.
What is your favorite thing to do in Pittsburgh? Why?
Go to Pamela's and share a plate with Carly every Saturday.
What was your greatest moment in athletics?
Scoring last year against Bucknell.
Who is the funniest person you follow on Twitter?
Malea Fabean
Who is your loudest teammate?
Jaci Brown