Freshman Stephanie Skilton (Auckland, New Zealand) scored three goals to lead the Syracuse women’s soccer team to a 4-0 victory at Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct. 6. The win is the first for the Orange in ACC play this season.

“It’s good to break the ice and get our first ACC win, which we did in convincing fashion,” said Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon. “We know that every ACC game is going to be a battle. Today we came out on the right side of things after some heartbreaking losses earlier this season.”

Skilton tied the single-game school record with her performance, becoming just the fourth player in program history to score three times in a game. She joins Erin O’Grady (1997-2000), Jaime Mingoia (1996-99) and teammate Erin Simon (Oakhurst, N.J.) as the only Orange players to accomplish the feat. Simon did it earlier this season against Albany. In addition, Skilton’s six points in the game tie her for third place on the single-game record list.

Senior goalkeeper Brittany Anghel (East Meadow, N.Y.) also posted a record-breaking performance in the victory. She recorded three saves and posted her 21st career shutout, which gives her sole possession of first place on the Orange’s all-time leader list. Anghel had been tied with Eliza Bennett-Hattan, who recorded 20 shutouts from 2006-09. Anghel now has 26 career victories, which is the highest total in school history.

After Pittsburgh (4-8-1, 0-7-0) earned the first corner and the first shot of the game, Syracuse dominated the rest of the match. The Orange (5-7-1, 1-5-1) converted on its first corner to take the lead for good. Sophomore Jackie Firenze (Baldwinsville, Pa.) served the ball into the box where junior Megan Hunsberger (Bethlehem, Pa.) headed the ball into the net in the 20th minute. Skilton increased the lead to 2-0 in the 42nd minute when she scored on a give-and-go as Firenze and Simon were credited with assists on the play.

Skilton added to SU’s advantage in the 75th minute when she scored on an assist from senior Rachel Blum (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) on a through ball. Skilton tallied the final goal of the game in the 82nd minute. She received a goal kick, dribbled and shot past Panthers’ goalkeeper Nicole D’Agostino to complete the hat trick.

“We challenged the players to put together a complete performance,” Wheddon said. “We had good decision making and good finishes. We had the opportunity to play many different players and everyone contributed. It was truly a team win.”

Syracuse outshot Pittsburgh, 17-6, and recorded four corner kicks to three for the Panthers. D’Agostino finished with seven saves.

The Orange returns home for a pair of games next weekend. Syracuse takes on No. 5 Florida State on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Miami on Sunday at 12 p.m. Admission to both games is free of charge.
 

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