Pitt Falls to Top-Ranked Cavaliers

October 31, 2015

PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh women’s soccer team (10-7-1, 4-6-0 ACC) concluded its 2015 slate against No. 1 Virginia, falling 6-0 to the Cavaliers on Saturday night at Ambrose Urbanic Field in the finale of its winningest season in program history.

“It was a great season,” said head coach Greg Miller. “There were so many positives to take out of it. Roosa [Arvas] became the all-time points leader, so many of our freshmen contributed, and our returning group was so much better. We still have a ways to go, but we made huge progress in this league.”

The Panthers’ 10 wins this season are the most the team has ever tallied in a given year, and it is the first winning campaign for the program since going 8-5-5 in 2009.

Pitt’s conclusion to the 2015 campaign was extremely difficult, facing top 25 opponents in five of its last seven contests – including four straight to end the year. The average ranking of those teams was 7.6 and featured a No. 1 and No. 2 opponent, the two of which being the reigning national champion and runner-up.

Senior Roosa Arvas was honored in a pregame ceremony for the team’s Senior Night and was one of three players to record multiple shots for the Panthers.

Overall, Pitt was outshot 16-9, but stayed close in that category for much of the game – trailing by only three shots at the half despite the score.

The Panthers held the nation’s top team off the board for the first 24 minutes of the game, but eventually UVa’s Betsy Brandon struck for the Cavaliers in the 25^th and again in the 27^th minute.

Morgan Reuther sent in a goal in the 43^rd minute on a cross from Makenzy Doniak, followed by a goal from Doniak herself two minutes later.

Alexis Shaffer fired in a shot from 12 yards out with five seconds remaining in the first half, and scored Virginia’s final goal in the 61^st minute to make it 6-0.

The team wishes to thank all of its fans and supporters for their tremendous support this season.