Women's Soccer Opens ACC Play Friday Night Against Duke
9/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
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duke (4-4-0, 0-0-0 ACC) AT PITT (4-4-0, 0-0-0 ACC)
Friday, September 19, 2014 • 7 p.m. ET
Ambrose Urbanic Field at Petersen Sports Complex • Pittsburgh, Pa. • Admission: FREE!
Military Appreciation/Youth Night
MEDIA INFORMATION
Television: None.
Internet Broadcast/Live Stats: www.pittsburghpanthers.com.
Radio: WPTS Radio (92.1 FM) live broadcast (Alex Dittmar and Dan Marcinek (Broadcast also available on Iheart Radio and Tunein aps). LIVE BROADCAST CLICK HERE
Coaches: Pitt: Greg Miller, 3rd year at Pitt; Duke: Robbie Church, 14th year at Duke.
Series: Pitt and Duke meet for the second time in women's soccer history. Duke is 1-0-0 vs. Pitt following a 6-3 win over the Pantherson October 27, 2013 in Durham, N.C.
GAME PREVIEW
PITTSBURGH--Pitt (4-4-0) opens Atlantic Coast Conference regular season play when it hosts Duke at Ambrose Urbanic Field for its ninth match of the 2014 season on Friday, September 19 at 7 p.m.
Pitt has played just one match in the last 14 days. Following tonight's match, the Panthers play three consecutive ACC road contests: at Boston College (Sept. 25), at Syracuse (Sept. 28) and at North Carolina State (Oct. 4). Pitt's next home match is on Oct. 9 vs. Notre Dame.
Pitt is in its 19th all-time season of women's soccer and its third under head coach Greg Miller.
Pitt enters the match with four wins to date: Akron (3-0), Toledo (1-0), Robert Morris (3-1) and Villanova (2-1).
ARVAS LEADS ACC IN GAME-WINNING GOALS; FRANCIS RANKS THIRD IN ACC IN SAVES, SAVES PER GAME, SAVE PCT.
Two Pitt players-junior Roosa Arvas and sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Francis-rank among Atlantic Coast Conference leaders in several statistical charts. Arvas leads the league in game-winning goals (3) and ranks tied for fourth in goals (5). Francis is ranked No. 3 in saves (32), saves per game (4.00) and save percentage (.909). Arvas is also ranked among league leaders in points (8th, 11), points per game (8th, 1.38) and goals per game (5th, 0.62). Francis also ranks ninth in goals against average (0.74). As a team, Pitt rates seventh in both assists (13) and assists per game (1.62) and eighth in corner kicks taken (4.88).
PITT STATISTICS
On the year, Pitt has outscored its opponents 9-6 and outshot them 97-87. Arvas leads the Panthers in goals (five), points (11) and shots (20). Freshmen Taylor Pryce (two goals/one assist) and Hanna Hannesdottir (one goal/three assists) both rank second on the team in points with five. In goal, Taylor Francis has accumulated a 0.74 goals against average, made 32 saves and has one shutout while facing 86 shots on the year. She leads the squad in minutes played (729) followed by senior Riliegh McHugh (673 minutes).
VCU HANDS PITT 1-0 LOSS
Pitt dropped a 1-0 loss to VCU on Friday, Sept. 12. The visiting Commodores headed in a corner kick in the 21st minute. Pitt battled back with several scoring opportunities in the game's final 15 minutes but could not tie the score. Goalkeeper Taylor Francis made four saves in the match.
PITT IN CLOSE CONTESTS
Six of Pitt's eight matches this year have been decided by one goal or less. In addition, each of Pitt's last five matches were decided by one goal. The Panthers are 2-3 in those contests including road wins over Toledo (1-0) and Villanova (2-1).
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.
FOLLOW PITT WOMEN'S SOCCER
For more information and additional Pitt women's soccer coverage, follow @pittwsoccer on twitter and PittWomensSoccer on facebook.
PITT PERSONALITY PROFILES
5 • Taylor Pryce
Who has made the biggest impact on your soccer career? Why?
My dad, he influenced me to continue with soccer even when I doubted myself.
Who is your funniest teammate? Why?
Riliegh McHugh, she's awesome.
Where do you see yourself 15 years from now?
Furthering my soccer career whether it's through coaching or playing.
What is your favorite movie? Why?
Bridesmaids, I know most of the lines.
If you had a theme song , what would it be? Why?
Flawless by Beyonce, I love Beyonce, she's a queen.
What do you like most about the city of Pittsburgh?
It's beautiful.
If you had any superpower, what would it be and why?
To be super fit, so I can run forever and not get tired playing.
Favorite postgame snack or meal?
Peanut M&Ms.
If you had a million dollars, how would you spend it?
On a house in Jamaica.
What do you do in your free time? Hobbies?
Ski, fish, driving range.
12 • Megan Giannopoulos
What attracted you to play soccer at the University of Pittsburgh?
The fact that we are now in the ACC.
What is the best thing about playing on the Pitt women's soccer team?
The sense of community and togetherness between us.
Which teammate of yours is the best dancer?
Tay Pryce
What is the toughest part of the transition from high school to college?
Work load and time management.
What is your favorite movie? Why?
She's the Man.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? Why?
Pretty Girl Sag because I'm a pretty girl with a lot of swag!
How often do you tweet per day?
Once on a good day.
Who is your hero and why?
Kim Kardashian.
What jersey number do you wear and why?
12 because I have always worn it.
Best childhood memory?
Going to the Bahamas with my family.
What do you do in your free time? Hobbies?
Sing!
26 • Makenzie Shearson
What is the best thing about playing on the Pitt women's soccer team?
We have the best field in the ACC and I love my teammates.
What is your major and why did you chose it?
Anthropology. I love learning about other cultures.
Favorite TV show or TV character? Why?
Breaking Bad.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? Why?
The Mario Kart theme song because it's my hidden expertise.
If you had any superpower, what would you chose and why?
Flying so I can go anywhere at anytime.
What was the first job you ever had?
I was a shampoo girl at a hair salon.
Favorite postgame snack or meal?
Anything chocolate.
How many pairs of shoes do you own?
Way too many. Heel in particular.
Favorite thing to do on campus?
Honk at pedestrians that cross at the incorrect time.
Craziest thing that has ever happened to you during a soccer practice?
Broke my forearm while diving.
