By Katie Mayock, Journalism Intern – Sports
#1 Men’s Soccer Extends Nation’s Best Unbeaten Streak to Six
The University of Pittsburgh men’s soccer team ascended to first place in the national rankings last week and backed that ranking up with wins over No. 17 Virginia Tech and Howard. The Panthers also own the longest active winning streak in the country at six matches.
On Friday, Sept. 27, the Panthers defeated No. 17 Virginia Tech, 2-0. The two teams played to a scoreless draw through the first 64 minutes of gametime. In the 65th minute, the Panthers forced the Hokies into an own goal to take the lead, 1-0. 12 minutes later, forward Casper Grening provided Pitt with an insurance goal assisted by forward Luis Sahmkow and defender Casper Svendby. Jack Moxom got the start in goal and made three saves to lead the Panthers to their third consecutive clean sheet and fifth of the season.
On Wednesday, Oct. 2, Pitt defeated Howard 8-1 in a non-conference matchup. Howard scored in the 18th minute to tie the game at one, but the Panthers took over from there. Pitt scored seven unanswered goals, six of which came in the second half. Seven different Panthers scored, with forward Eben McIntyre notching his first-career brace. As a team, the Panthers recorded 34 shots, 15 of them on goal, and 15 corners.
With the wins, Pitt improved to 9-1-0 overall and 4-0-0 in the ACC, remaining in first place in the conference with 12 points. Up next, the Panthers remain at home for another non-conference matchup against No. 6 University of Denver on Monday, Oct. 7 at 7 PM.
Women’s Soccer Earns Four ACC Points with Win and Draw
Last week, the University of Pittsburgh women’s soccer team earned four ACC points, drawing with Stanford before defeating Clemson. The Panthers improved to 8-3-2 overall and 2-2-1 in the ACC, tied for seventh place in the conference.
On Sunday, Sept. 29 the Panthers earned a 1-1 draw with No. 6 Stanford. Stanford took the lead early on a goal off a corner kick in the 18th minute, but Pitt answered back before halftime. Midfielder Keera Melenhorst scored from just outside the box on an assist from forward Sarah Schupansky to tie the game at one. Neither team was able to score in the second half and the game ended in a draw.
On Thursday, Oct. 3, the Panthers defeated Clemson at home, 4-1. Pitt midfielder Keera Melenhorst opened the scoring just 10 minutes into the game on a rebound from a shot by forward Samiah Phiri. Pitt doubled their lead in the 28th minute on a goal by midfielder Deborah Abiodun, assisted by midfielder Ellie Coffield. Phiri scored a goal of her own in the 61st minute to extend the Pitt lead to 3-0. Clemson got on the board in the 82nd minute, but Pitt quickly countered with their fourth goal of the night off the left foot of forward Sarah Schupansky to win by a final margin of 4-1.
The Panthers are off for 10 days before they host Syracuse on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 1:30 PM.
#1 Women’s Volleyball Opens ACC Play with Two More Sweeps
The top-ranked University of Pittsburgh women’s volleyball team opened ACC play with straight-set wins over Clemson and No. 13 Georgia Tech. The two wins marked the 11th- and 12th-straight sweeps for the Panthers, who have not dropped a set all year en route to a 12-0 overall record and 2-0 record in the ACC.
On Friday, Sept. 27, the Panthers traveled to Clemson to take on the Tigers in the ACC opener for both teams. The Panthers swept the Tigers 25-21, 25-15, 25-13 for their 11th-straight win and sweep of the season. Hitters Olivia Babcock and Torey Stafford led the Panthers with 15 and 10 kills, respectively, and setter Rachel Fairbanks recorded a double-double with 27 assists and 10 digs.
The Panthers stayed on the road to face No. 13 Georgia Tech on Sunday, Sept. 29, sweeping the Yellow Jackets 25-11, 25-17, 25-8. Right side hitter Olivia Babcock notched her first double-double of the season with 12 kills and 10 digs. Middle blocker Bre Kelley led the team with six blocks.
Up next, the Panthers travel to New England to face ACC foes Boston College on Friday, Oct. 4 at 7 PM and Syracuse on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 11 AM.
