After two years as head women's soccer coach at Pittsburgh, Sue Moy Chin's short-term goals for the program have been achieved.  Now, Chin's long-term objectives are to keep improving and focus on advancing the program even further.

“We have done a great job of achieving some of the goals that we have set," Chin says.  "The players have a fire and fight in them that was missing when we first arrived here.  We have worked extremely hard to create a competitive environment and it is obvious that they are thriving in this new environment."

"Every year, our goal is to build on what we have accomplished the previous year.  We want to continually get better.  We want to make the Big East Tournament and finish in the top eight of the conference this year.  I feel, even more so, that this is an attainable goal for the program with the players we have returning and the new players joining us this fall

The 2005 Panthers return nine of 11 starters, and 19 letterwinners from a 2004 season that ended with a 6-10-1 record.  Ten seniors are back to provide leadership.  With that foundation, Chin believes the program has an opportunity to achieve unprecedented success for women's soccer at Pitt.

Chin is assisted by former Washington Freedom forward Monica Gerardo and first-year assistant Lindsey Jones, a former member of the New York Power.  She has a firm, but fair coaching style.  She hopes her student-athletes enjoy their experience and focus on academics while at the University of Pittsburgh.

Defense remains the foundation and trademark of the Panthers.  Over the last two years, the Panthers have recorded the fewest (23) and second fewest goals against (29) totals in program history.  For the second straight season, Pitt returns all of five of its top backfield players along with its goalkeeper, senior Jamie Pelusi, who was named the 2004 Big East Goalkeeper of the Year.

“Team defense is an important part of the success that we have had over the last two years," says Chin.  "I feel we have built a very solid foundation.  Our goal now is to create more on the attacking end."

Chin is also excited about the incoming freshmen.

“Our freshmen bring us more depth in the midfield and defense," Chin said.  "We add height, speed and power to the team.  Kristy Fultz gives us height and power, Jane Ryan provides speed and Jen Kritch adds power in the midfield.  We are looking for these players to step up right away.”

In addition to Fultz, Ryan, and Kritch, Chin brings in; Erin Myers from Kensington, Md., Kylie Veverka from North Huntingdon, Pa., and Erica Wright from Bethesda, Md.  Lauren Engel, a senior transfer from the University of New Hampshire, will also join the 2005 squad.

FORWARDS

Despite losing one senior (Cara Senger), the Panthers return five forwards from last year's squad.  Junior Kristina Francois returns for 2005 after a campaign which saw her start 16 of the Panthers' 17 games, score four goals (three game-winning), and notch four assists.  Francois led the team in three categories: goals, assists, and points (12) in 2004.  Senior Sara Gutting is a three-year letterwinner who has played 45 career games for the Panthers.  She has three goals to go along with six assists and 12 points for her career.

“Our forwards played well last year, but we didn’t finish on our chances well enough," Chin says.  "We are looking for Tina to have a breakout season and for Sara Gutting to provide leadership."

Also returning to the frontline positions are senior Lisa Schulte, sophomore Janean Gardner, and sophomore Kelley VanderMallie.  Schulte and Gardner both played in 15 of the Panthers' 17 games last season, while VanderMallie saw action in seven. 

MIDFIELDERS

Eight letterwinners are back at the midfield position, which should easily be Pitt's deepest unit in 2005.    Not only do the Panthers return a seasoned and experienced core of players, but a slew of incoming freshmen will make competition for playing time intense.  Senior Erin Hills, junior Corina Sebesta and sophomore Meta Haley will each play a major role at center midfield for the Panthers.  Sebesta has started 34 consecutive games and ranked second on the team in points last year (eight).  Hills owns 53 career games played, and has totaled 20 career points.  Haley redshirted her freshman year and is expected to be 100 percent upon returning from injury.

Sophomore Rachel Vecchio returns after a solid season at the outside midfield position before suffering a knee injury midway through the year.  She notched three goals, one assist, and seven points.  Pitt will look for Vecchio to take on more responsibility in that position this year.

In addition, leadership and experience at the midfield positions will be provided by three seniors with 112 combined games played: Jen DeLaHoz, Erin McFarling, and Kendall Enmark.  DeLaHoz has seen action in 53 career games played, and has contributed 10 career points.  She has scored four goals (two game-winning) and notched two assists.  McFarling has played in 39 games over her three-year career while Enmark has battled injuries throughout her career, but returns with one season of eligibility.  Sophomore Lucy Kirkland will continue to add depth this season.

“The midfield position will be the most competitive it has been since I came here," says Chin.

Newcomers Kristy Fultz, Jen Kritch and Erica Wright bring speed and power to the Panthers, and they will all compete for starting positions and playing time.  Another newcomer, Jane Ryan, has made quite an impression on Chin.

"We are looking for Jane to come in and make an immediate impact for us in the outside midfield position," Chin says.  "Jane has the ability to start and play a lot of minutes as a freshman.  She is smart, fast and a solid soccer player.”

BACKFIELD

For the second consecutive season, all four starters return to Pitt's backfield, making it the strongest and most experienced unit in the Panthers' lineup.  It is a unit that has yielded only 52 goals in its last 34 contests for a 1.53 goals against average.  That defensive stability has proven to be the backbone of the program.

Senior Jacqueline Reuter returns to the Panthers for a fifth year after receiving a medical redshirt which sidelined her for the entire 2004 season.  Reuter has started 51 of her 53 career games, and has played a key role since 2001.  Leadership will also be provided by senior Aimee Romasco, who has played in 53 career games.  Romasco served as team captain in 2004.

Other key returnees in the backfield include juniors Katie Surma, Carli Brill, and Courtney Wrightson.  All three have made key contributions in each of the past three seasons, combining for 91 games played.

“For the second consecutive year, the backfield will be our strongest position," says Chin.  "We return our entire starting lineup, along with Jackie from injury.  This will be the third year that many of these players have played together.  This group has an understanding of what they need to do and where each other will be.”

Sophomore Stephanie Davis along with newcomers Erin Myers, Kylie Veverka, and Lauren Engel will provide depth to the already strong backline.

GOALKEEPER

  Jamie Pelusi returns for her fourth consecutive season in goal for Pitt.  A senior who has started 53 consecutive games, Pelusi holds school records for career shutouts (10), career saves (339) and career goals against average (1.87).  For the third consecutive season, Pelusi led Big East goalkeepers in saves per game (5.65), and ranked among Big East leaders in save percentage (6th), saves (5th), and shutouts (9th).  She is coming off a successful season which saw her earn the Big East Goalkeeper of the Year Award and All-Big East First Team honors.  She set a single season record for shutouts (five), and finished with 96 saves and a 1.62 goals against average in 2004.  In 2003, she set the school record for lowest goals against average in a season (1.32). 

Backing up Pelusi is Lailah Issac, a solid backup who has played in four career games.

“We return both goalkeepers for their final year,” Chin says.  “Jamie and Lailah have improved so much since their sophomore years.  Jamie had a great season last year and I am looking for her to have another great year.  Lailah is a strong back up for us and we are looking for her to continue in her development.”

 SCHEDULE

The 2005 schedule has a different look than in previous years.  The Big East welcomes new members Marquette, Louisville, South Florida, DePaul, and Cincinnati to the conference this year.  Pitt will play both South Florida and Marquette at home this season.

“The Big East always presents competitive matchups for us,” Chin says.  “I am excited to play the new Big East schools this year."

The Panthers open their 2005 season in Huntington, W. Va. for the Marshall Tournament where they take on Jacksonville and Marshall.  Pitt's first home game is September 1 against West Virginia.  Pitt closes out its regular season with a road trip to Connecticut on October 23. 

In mid-September the Panthers will travel to Boulder, Colo. to play in the Colorado Tournament.  Pitt will play the University of Denver and the University of Colorado.  Colorado was a ranked team last year that earned an NCAA Tournament berth, and Denver has made the NCAA Tournament two of the last three years.

A crucial part of the 2005 season will be a five-game homestand stretching from September 25 to October 9 in which the Panthers play five consecutive Big East Conference games in a row.  The homestand consists of contests against Syracuse (Sept. 25), Seton Hall (Sept. 30), Rutgers (Oct. 2), South Florida (Oct. 7), and Marquette (Oct. 9).