Oct. 25, 2009
Box Score
STORRS, Conn.—Senior Katie Caslin scored a game-winning, walk-off goal in the 94th minute to give Pitt a 1-0 shutout win against Connecticut Sunday before 1,058 fans at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium. The win concluded Pitt’s season with an 8-5-5 overall and 3-3-5 Big East record. Connecticut drops to 10-7-1 overall and 5-5-1 in the Big East.
The contest signaled Pitt’s final contest. It was Pitt’s first winning season in 14 years of women’s soccer. The victory marked the eighth of the year for Pitt, which tied a school record for wins in a season. Pitt also won eight games in both 1996 and 2006. Pitt also shutout an opponent for a school record 10th time this year. The Panthers registered shutouts in 10 of their 18 games on the season, a mark which ranks fourth in the Big East.
Caslin’s walk-off goal came at the game’s 93:20 mark. Pitt stole the ball and dribbled up the field. Freshman Ashley Cuba dished off a pass to junior Liz Carroll, who then flicked a pass to Caslin in the middle of the penalty box. Caslin reeled up and fired a shot into the goal’s upper left corner. The score marked Caslin’s first of the season and fourth of her career.
Both teams had opportunities throughout the game to score, but neither could capitalize in regulation. Pitt finished the day with 21 shots including six on goal. The Huskies took 22 shots including 12 on goal, but Pitt goalkeeper Morie Kephart recorded a career-high 12 saves on the day to shutout the Huskies. The shutout was Kephart’s eighth of the season. She allowed only seven goals in 14 games and finished with 87 saves and a 0.47 goals against average.
Carroll finished the afternoon with five shots, sophomore midfielder Katelyn Ruhe registered four shots and Cuba and Caslin each totaled three shots apiece.
Cuba led the Panthers in three statistical categories: goals (seven), assists (four) and points (18). Carroll finished second on the squad in points (six) and tied for the team lead in assists (four). Senior Ashley Habbel, who set the school record for career goals (19), scored two goals and totaled five points on the year.
In 2010, Pitt loses just five seniors including all-time career scoring leader Habbel, Katie Caslin, Maura Caslin, Alison Finch and Molly Griganavicius.
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