Women’s Soccer Edged by Boston College, 2-1

October 14, 2015

PITTSBURGH – After a perfect 5-0 start to its 2015 home slate, the Pitt women’s soccer team (9-3-1, 3-2-0 ACC) fell to Boston College, 2-1, on Thursday night at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

“I thought we played a great first half other than finishing our chances,” said head coach Greg Miller. “That’s one of the things we talked about as a focus. We know we can create chances against any team; it’s just a matter of if we can convert. As the game went on, we just got a little bit more rushed. After they scored the second goal it was really hard for us to continue to try and play.”

Scoring opportunities were plenty early-on for the Panthers, who ultimately outshot their opponents 21-14 with a 10-2 advantage in shots on target. However, the Eagles (9-4-1, 3-1-1 ACC) converted on both shots on goal to make up their scoring on the day, while Pitt was on the unlucky end of several close looks as they recorded 10 attempts on frame in the contest.

The combination of efficiency on offense for BC and Pitt’s stout defensive play led to a game in which junior Taylor Francis recorded no saves – a rarity that hasn’t occurred since the season opener against Saint Francis (PA) on Aug. 21, and just three times in her career in games she’s started (37).

BC’s McKenzie Meehan netted the game’s first goal via header off a ball sent into the box by Shea Newman in the 13^th minute, becoming the Eagles’ all-time goals leader with 40.

Freshman Jarena Harmon struck again tonight for Pitt, boosting her team-leading goals total to seven on a through-ball from senior Roosa Arvas into the eight-yard box in the 27^th minute. Harmon, who leads all ACC freshmen in goals, finished to the left of the keeper to hand the Panthers their only goal.

Hayley Dowd dialed up a rocket from 16 yards in the 67^th minute to put Boston College on top to stay.

“There’s a small window between now and [Syracuse]. We’ve got to recover tomorrow and we’ll have a light session on Saturday. We’re playing at home which is a huge positive, and Syracuse is coming off a loss so I think they’ll be even more motivated to come in here and try to get a win.”

Pitt next hosts Syracuse on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. back at Ambrose Urbanic Field.