Penalty Kick Give Pitt 1-0 Win at Syracuse

September 28, 2014

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – A penalty kick in the 84th minute was the difference in the Syracuse women’s soccer squad’s 1-0 setback against Pittsburgh on Sunday, Sept. 28 at the SU Soccer Stadium. The Orange is now 4-5-4 overall, 1-2 in ACC play, while the Panthers improve to 5-6-0, including a 1-2 mark in conference action.

The penalty kick was awarded after a Pittsburgh player was taken down in the box. Junior Roosa Arvas took the penalty kick and put her shot in the back of the net for her team-leading seventh goal of the season for the match’s only goal.

The Orange was the more dangerous team throughout the game, especially in the first half. Syracuse outshot Pittsburgh, 5-2, in the first 45 minutes and had additional opportunities but couldn’t connect on service into the box on a couple of occasions. SU nearly scored off a corner kick, but sophomore Maddie Damm’s (North Kingstown, R.I.) shot from 25 yards out just missed the top left corner of the goal as the teams were tied 0-0 at halftime.

The Panthers never really tested Syracuse goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan (Short Hills, N.J.), who finished with two saves. The Orange continued to apply offensive pressure after Pittburgh’s goal and had two chances to score the equalizer. Junior Jackie Firenze’s (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) shot in the 89th minute went wide. Syracuse had the final possession of the match, but couldn’t get a shot off as time expired.

“To have so many opportunities, good opportunities,(and not score) is unacceptable,” said Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon. “In the first half we had clear opportunities, one-on-one against the goalkeeper, so it’s just composure in front of the goal which is lacking.”

Syracuse outshot Pittsburgh, 7-6, while the Panther had four corner kicks to three for SU. Pitt goalkeeper Taylor Francis recorded five saves.

The Orange is back in action at the SU Soccer Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 5 when it hosts Boston College at 7 p.m. Admission is free of charge.

AGATE

                                1st          2nd        Final
Syracuse              0              0              0
Pittsburgh           0              1              1

Scoring:
84:11 Pitt Roosa Arvas

Shots: Syracuse 7, Pittsburgh 6
Corner Kicks: Pittsburgh 4, Syracuse 3
Saves: Syracuse 2 (Courtney Brosnan), Pittsburgh 5 (Taylor Francis)

Attendance: 624

-- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY: NEW YORK’S COLLEGE TEAM --