PITTSBURGH–The University of Pittsburgh women’s soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to the University of Notre Dame Sunday at Founders Field.  The Panthers fall to 5-8-2 (1-2-1 Big East), while the Fighting Irish improve to 16-0-1 (4-0-0 Big East).

Irish forward Megan Bolland scored the game’s lone goal in the 22^nd minute of play.  Christie Shaner dumped the ball to Bolland flicked a header from 12-yards out for the score.

The Panthers offense came alive late in the second half and attempted to score the first goal against the Irish since Sept. 28, when Erin Hills (Burke, Va./James A. Robinson Secondary) took an indirect kick that rebounded off of Irish goalkeeper Erika Bohn. Jacqueline Reuter (Chalfont, Pa./Central Bucks West) attempted to boot the rebound in for the score, but the ball was barely stopped by Bohn. 

The Panthers faced an Irish defense that has only allowed five goals this season.  The Pittsburgh defense shined again today as they limited a Notre Dame offense that averages 3.67 goals per-game to just one. Though the Irish out shot Pittsburgh 18-6, this was the most shots taken against Notre Dame by a Big East team this season.

This was the first meeting between assistant coach Monica Gerardo and her alma mater.  Head coach Sue-Moy Chin was an assist coach at Notre Dame from 1997-99. 

The Panthers are next in action Thursday when they visit Morgantown, W.Va. for a Big East/Mid-Atlantic Divisional match against No. 8 West Virginia.  Game time is set for 7 p.m.

GOALS BY PERIOD

                                           1       2       T

 Pittsburgh                           0       0       0

 Notre Dame                         1       0       1

 SCORING SUMMARY
 Mary Bolland (UND), Christie Shaner, 45-yard boot, 21:03

 SHOTS:  Pittsburgh 6; Notre Dame 18

CORNER KICKS: Pittsburgh 1; Notre Dame 4

SAVES:  Pelusi (UP) 7; Bohn (UND) 3

FOULS:  Pittsburgh 10; Notre Dame 15

OFFSIDES: Pittsburgh 0; Notre Dame 0

CAUTIONS: Team (UP)

EJECTIONS: N/A
ATTENDANCE: 390