April 10, 2009

PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh women’s soccer team concluded its spring season by winning two if its final three matches over the past weekend to finish at 4-2-1 heading into preseason practice. The Pitt women’s soccer team returns to campus in August to prepare for its fall 2009 season.

On Sunday, the Pitt women closed out its weekend in Akron, Ohio, outscoring Valparaiso 1-0 and then beating the Zips 2-0. Pitt’s lone goal in the Valparaiso game came from freshman Klarissa Ames, who scored a second half goal on an assist from teammate Molly Griganavicius. Scoring against Akron were Ashley Habbel and Liz Carroll. Habbel’s goal came in the first half, when she headed the ball into the net after receiving a corner kick from Laura Berbert. Assisting Carroll was Alex Jaffe, who set up the cross and gave Carroll a chance to knock it into the goal. That gave the Panthers a shutout win

Pitt faced backyard rival West Virginia on Saturday, April 4 in its annual Kicks Against Cancer game, narrowly losing 1-0 after having several great chances blocked by the WVU defense. Following the game, the Pitt women were proud to present a check for $2,000 to the Betty Puskar Breast Cancer Care Center.

Pitt head coach Sue-Moy Chin considered the weekend and spring season a success.

“Sunday was a perfect ending to our spring season as everything we’ve been working on came together with two dominating performances,” Chin said. “Our players showed a great deal of confidence and poise during the weekend. We made strides this spring and I can’t wait for preseason so we can continue to build on the strong foundation we’ve laid this spring.”