Box Score

PITTSBURGH – Freshman Juliana Vazquez delivered what would be the game-winning goal on a free kick in the 80^th minute to rally the Pitt women’s soccer team past Liberty on Thursday at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

“It’s a big tribute to our team and another feather in our cap,” said head coach Greg Miller. “Every game is a different situation. From a statistical standpoint we were able to create a lot of chances, but there were some scary moments. I thought we did a much better job tonight of managing the game.”

With the win, Pitt (5-1-1) recorded its best seven-game start to a season in program history and has yet to allow an opponent more than a single goal in a game. The 1998 team went 5-2-0 to open the year.

The Panthers back line continues to grow more and more formidable as sophomore Niki Hopkins, redshirt freshman Seyla Perez, and junior captainSiobhan McDonough played extremely active roles in supporting the attack in addition to applying their signature tough, physical defense.

Liberty (1-4-1) climbed onto the scoreboard first on a goal in the 38^th minute that resulted from a corner kick.

After a sluggish first half, the Panthers turned in a much more aggressive performance in the second frame, ultimately outshooting the Flames, 18-6.

Sophomore Taylor Pryce found herself on the unlucky side of some scoring chances, as did several others, but she banged in the equalizer in the 59^th minute. Assisted by sophomore Ashley Moreira and freshman Allie Higgs, Pryce dribbled into the goal box and beat the goalkeeper to the right.

With a noticeable momentum shift underway, it was Vazquez who handed Pitt the victory late. The freshman thumped a free kick from straightaway, bending it away from Liberty’s keeper into the back of the net.

The Panthers will return to action when they travel to Akron this Sunday, Sept. 13, for a 1 p.m. start.

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