Box Score | Season Stats

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Despite relatively even shot totals, the Pitt women’s soccer team (10-6-1, 4-5-0 ACC) fell short at No. 7 Virginia Tech, 4-2, on Sunday at Thompson Field.

“It’s the same story as Thursday [against Duke],” said head coach Greg Miller. “We created some very good chances and played well for the majority of the game but it just comes down to moments. Moments where we don’t finish and moments where we give up preventable goals. It’s frustrating and I know I’ll feel better about it after the season is over, but you just want so badly for your team to get one.”

Senior Roosa Arvas’ late goal moved her into a tie with Cande Ruiz (1998-01) for third all-time in career goals with 18. Pitt’s program leader is Ashley Cuba (2009-12) with 23. Arvas paced the team with six shots, four on goal, in the contest.

Sunday’s game marked the first time all season that the Panthers allowed three or more goals in consecutive games, something opponents had not achieved against Pitt since Sept. 19 and 25, 2014, against Duke (3) and Boston College (3).

Virginia Tech (14-2-2, 6-2-1 ACC) edged the Panthers by slim margins in shots (19-17) and shots on goal (9-8). The game became hotly contested as it progressed, leading to cautions issued to freshman Seyla Perez and the Hokies’ Candace Cephers. VT committed 19 fouls to Pitt’s 6.

The Hokies took the lead early thanks to Laila Gray’s first goal of the season in the 10^th minute, assisted by Ashley Meier.

Sophomore Taylor Pryce delivered an equalizer in the 26^th minute for her sixth score of the season and first since Sept. 27 at Louisville. Pryce drew the keeper out from short range, finishing far post.

Virginia Tech’s Gray was heard from again just a few minutes later, finishing a header in the 30^th minute to retake the lead.

Murielle Tiernan added to the Hokies’ lead early in the second half, scoring an unassisted goal in the 58^th minute to make the score 3-1. Alani Johnson extended the lead to 4-1 when she found the back of the net in the 66^th minute.

Arvas converted a penalty kick in the 73^rd minute to cut the deficit to 4-2 where it would remain. It was her first goal since Sept. 13 at Akron and fourth of the season. The Panthers are now 2-2 in penalty kicks on the year.

“The attitude is no different in terms of our responsibility to go into the Virginia game and give ourselves a chance to win,” said Miller. “As frustrating as this weekend was for us, now we need to turn our focus to the next game. We have six days to prepare for them, and they have a midweek game. Hopefully that’s an advantage for us.”

Pitt will conclude the 2015 regular season this Saturday, Oct. 31, back at Ambrose Urbanic Field in what will be the team’s Senior Night to honor the career of lone senior Roosa Arvas. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. 

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