PITTSBURGH- The Panthers fell to No. 20 West Virginia 6-1 Wednesday night.  This was the fifth Big East game of the season for the Panthers. This loss moves the Panthers to 1-3-1 in the Big East and 4-5-1 overall.

The first half of the game was well played between the two teams.  There was little action on net for either team until West Virginia’s Laura Kane was fouled in the box and awarded a penalty kick.  Kane made the shot putting the Mountaineers up 1-0.

Three minutes later Kane notched the second goal for the Mountaineers off of an indirect kick from Ashley Weimer. 

Pittsburgh raised its intensity and put the pressure on West Virginia. Twelve minutes after West Virginia’s second goal, Pittsburgh answered.  Cara Senger received the ball at the top of the penalty box and took a shot.  The shot flew over the defenders and was just out of reach for the goal keeper.  A play by Lisa Schulte kept the ball in West Virginia’s end helped lead to Senger’s goal.

The second half provided many opportunities for the Panthers early-on. A corner kick by Jen DeLaHoz placed the ball inside the box, but no Panther was able to finish it.  Indirect and direct kicks were taken by Pittsburgh, but again none found the back of the net. 

West Virginia was able to tally four goals in the second half.  The goals came from Ashley Banks, Marisa Kanela and two from Natalie Cocchi.

Pittsburgh travels to UM-Baltimore County on Sunday and returns to Big East action on October 15^th and 17^th.  The Panthers’ next home game is on Tuesday, October 19^th against St. Francis at 7 p.m.

Goals by Period

                                    1          2          T

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

West Virginia                2          4          6

Pittsburgh                     1          0          1

Goals by Description

1.         27:50   WVU   Laura Kane, penalty kick

2.         30:22   WVU   Kane, Ashley Weimer assist, Indirect kick and headed in

3.         42:38   UP       Cara Senger, high shot from penalty box

4.         76:14   WVU   Natalie Cocchi, Weimer assist, Indirect kick and headed in

5.         81:10   WVU   Ashley Banks, carried and shot from top of penalty box

6.         84:14   WVU   Marisa Kanela, Corner kick

7.         87:15   WVU   Banks, Rachel Minnich assist, pass and shot

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