SOUTH BEND, Ind.- Pittsburgh women’s soccer team was dropped a 3-1 decision Friday at No. 1 Notre Dame.

Pittsburgh came out strong against the Irish.  The game was at an evenly controlled point by each team  when Pittsburgh was fouled just over the half field point on Notre Dame’s side. Katie Surma took the free kick and put it into the air at the top of  Notre Dame’s 18.  A Notre Dame player tried to clear the ball with her head, but Erin Hills was able to collect it.  Hills touched the ball twice then took a shot on goal.  The ball soared over the defense and just under the cross bar.  This was Hills’ first goal of the season and Pittsburgh’s first of the game.

The Pittsburgh goal left Notre Dame stunned.  The Irish had only been behind two other times this season and only gave up one other first half goal.  Pittsburgh increased their intensity after the goal and did not let Notre Dame score in the first half. 

Starting the second half just as strong as they finished the first half, Pittsburgh quashed a few close chance Notre Dame was able to have.  Goalie Jamie Pelusi(Pittsburgh, Pa./Hampton HS) came up huge for the Panthers when Notre Dame had a breakaway.  Pelusi came out and shut down the Irish forward. 

In the 71^st minute Notre Dame’s forward Melissa Tancredi received a ball from Kim Lorenzen to take the shot and score.  Pittsburgh held the Irish scoreless for forty minutes. 

Three minutes later Notre Dame put in the go-ahead goal.  The goal came from Katie Thorlakson on a penalty kick.  This was the first penalty kick given up by Pittsburgh this season. 

Pittsburgh was in no way ready to quit, with less then 20 minutes to play they kept the pressure on Notre Dame.  Pittsburgh had a few restarts in Notre Dame’s end and made us of them, but wasn’t able to tie the game.

The last goal of the game came off of a Notre Dame corner kick.  Candace Chapman was able to score with assists by Tancredi and Thorlakson.

Following the game coach Sue-Moy Chin says “No one likes to lose, but take into consideration they [Notre Dame] are the number one team [and played them] at home and we held them to 1-0 for forty minutes.  The girls played really hard, competed and battled with them.”  Chin is happy with the progression the team has made thus far in the season and couldn’t be more pleased.  “They are setting new levels and standards,” Chin said about the players.

Pittsburgh’s next game is on Sunday, September 26^th at 1 p.m. against Boston College at Founder’s Field.  This will be Pittsburgh’s second Big East game of the season. 

Score By Period

                                   1            2            T

                              --------------------------------------

Notre Dame                 0            3            3

Pittsburgh                     1            0            1

Goals