The No. 25 West Virginia women’s soccer team dominated play in its BIG EAST opener against Pitt Friday evening at Founders Field, but left with little to show in a 1-1 draw.
All-America midfielder Carolyn Blank put the Mountaineers on the board first with a goal at the 15:58 mark. The Toms River, N.J., native fired a long shot from 23-yards out that bent inside the right corner for the 1-0 lead.
The Panthers responded with a goal in the 31st minute after a breakdown by the Mountaineer defense following a corner kick. Midfielder Laura Berbert played a short ball to defender Rebecca Fraser who found forward Ashley Habbel in front of the net for the game-tying score.
After a back-and-forth opening half, the Mountaineers dominated the final 65 minutes, finishing with a 24-8 shot advantage on the night. WVU’s starting forwards – Bry McCarthy, Blake Miller and Megan Mischler – combined for 14 shots on the night.
WVU came out firing in the second half, attempting 10 shots and creating several scoring chances.
In the 50th minute, midfielder Bri Rodriguez headed a ball just wide of the goal on a cross from McCarthy.
The Mountaineers continued to pressure Pitt’s back line, including a near-goal in the 61st minute from Miller. The shifty forward beat a Pitt defender and fired a shot far post, forcing Panther goalkeeper Morie Kephart to make a diving save to her left.
With the momentum at their side, the Mountaineers had two more chances off the head of forward Mischler in the 70th and 80th minutes – both shots drifting wide of the goal.
A last-chance effort in regulation came from midfielder Ashtin Larkin in the 88th minute. Larkin, who provided 34 solid minutes off the bench, one-timed a pass from McCarthy that bounced wide right of the goal.
Two overtime periods were much of the same for WVU, plenty of scoring opportunities but nothing to show for. WVU posted a 9-1 shot edge in the overtimes and McCarthy continuously beat Pitt’s outside back, sending balls into the middle without a finish.
Kephart finished with nine saves on the night for Pitt, while WVU goalkeeper Kerri Butler did not have to make a save as the defense held Pitt to only one shot on-goal.
The Mountaineers move to 2-2-4 (0-0-1) on the year, while Pitt goes to 4-2-1 (0-0-1).
WVU played its fifth overtime match in eight contests this season.
Next up for the Mountaineers is their final non-conference match of the season. West Virginia play host to Tennessee on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m. The match will be televised on WVPBS and has also been designated as “Dollar Day” with all tickets, hot dogs, popcorn and Coca-Colas available for purchase for just one dollar.