Sept. 1, 2006

Box Score

Indianola, Pa.-- Pitt women's soccer defeated Binghamton on Friday at Founders Field, 3-1, improving its record to 3-0-0 for the first time in the history of the program. Sophomore Jen Kritch (Northville, Mich./Northville) scored three goals for the Panthers, tying a school record for most goals in a game.

The Panthers re-wrote the record books on a rainy Friday night at Founders Field, as it improved to 3-0-0. Binghamton dropped to 0-2-1 on the season.

"We played well against a good team," Pitt head coach Sue-Moy Chin said. "We worked hard for the win and I'm pleased with the effort. Jen Kritch really stepped up for us tonight. The win was a good team effort, Kritch finished her chances well but she couldn't have done it without help from her teammates. We defended well and created good chances. Overall, I'm excited and we played well."

The Panthers took the early lead in the 27^th minute of the game when Kritch recorded her first of three goals. Freshman Katie Caslin (Commack, N.Y./St. Anthony's) passed the ball to senior Kristina Francois (Springfield, Va./Paul VI) who then fed Kritch outside the Bearcat goal. Kritch got a shot off, putting Pitt up, 1-0.

As the second half opened, Pitt's midfield continued to create chances. Kritch notched her second goal in the 72^nd minute of the game, assisted by Francois. Feeding a perfectly placed through ball, Kritch gathered the pass from Francois, beat a defender and found the back of the net. One minute later, Kritch gathered the ball that had deflected off a Bearcat defender. Kritch recorded her first career hat trick, scoring her third goal off a volley shot 20-yards outside the net that she fired past the goalkeeper. Kritch's third goal was unassisted and tied the school record for goals scored in a game (3). Kritch becomes the sixth player in Pitt history to score three goals in a game. With her two assists on the evening, Francois ranks tied for second in school history in assists registered for a game.

Binghamton managed to score in the game's 75^th minute when Betsy Harris controlled a pass from Kerry O'Shaughnessy and scored on Pitt goalkeeper Alison Finch (Pittsburgh, Pa./Bethel Park).

Pitt controlled the game, keeping possession of the ball and notching 17 shots. Redshirt sophomore Meta Haley (Sewickley, Pa./Quaker Valley) recorded three shots, including a shot early in the second half that nearly found the back of the net.

Pitt's defense, anchored by seniors Carli Brill (Lancaster, Pa./Penn Manor) and Katie Surma (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) yielded only eight shots.

Pitt continues its season play at home, when it faces Western Michigan on Sunday, Sept. 3 at Founders Field at 1 p.m.