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2009 Pitt Soccer Outlook
July 27, 2009
 Pitt
enters the 2009 season stronger than ever, returns nine starters and
welcomes a diverse group of newcomers to a well-rounded and promising team.
A sense of optimism surrounds Pitt head women's soccer coach Sue-Moy Chin as
she enters her seventh year with the program. The 2009 roster offers a
perfect balance of both a well-rounded and experienced returning team
alongside a promising crew of newcomers. Pitt enters this season with one of
the most talented rosters in the program's 13-year history as it welcomes
back 19 letterwinners and nine starters from last year's team.
By instilling a tough, defensive-minded mentality, Chin has guided Pitt to
appearances in three of the last four Big East Tournaments, most recently in
2008. With its Big East Championship appearance in 2006, Pitt made history
with its first-ever back-to-back post-season appearances in school history
(2005 and 2006). Following last year's Big East Championship appearance,
Chin has guided the Panthers to the most post-season appearances in program
history.
As the Panthers prepare for the upcoming 2009 season, Chin has full
confidence in her five-member senior class and talented roster of
underclassmen. She stated that the team's strongest asset "isn't just one
particular position on the field, but the depth that the roster affords us
to have."
Leading the way for the Panthers will be senior Ashley Habbel, one of the
most well-rounded and successful players in school history. Not only is she
Pitt's leading offensive returnee, but Habbel ranks among all-time school
leaders in goals, points and shots. She will also continue her leadership
role for the 2009 squad as team captain.
Although the Panthers lost Jennifer Kritch, one of the team's leading
offensive players, they return last season's three leading goal scorers in
Habbel (six), sophomore Katelyn Ruhe (five) and junior Liz Carroll (four).
Not only will Pitt enter the season with a strong offensive base, but it
also returns the majority of its defense after losing only one graduated
senior in Kylie Veverka.
Last year marked the first time in program history that Pitt received
national recognition for its recruiting efforts. The 2008 newcomers were
ranked 95th nationally and 13th in the Mid-Atlantic Region by Soccer Buzz
Magazine. The group surpassed the expectations set forth throughout their
first season at Pitt.
Finishing last season with a 7-12-1 record, Chin enters the 2009 season with
one of the most well-rounded teams that Pitt has returned to the field. With
a skilled returning team and highly-anticipated incoming class, Chin hopes
to improve upon her team's record in 2009 and make yet another post-season
appearance by "continuing to drive the message of competition, having the
women believe in their own abilities and reinforcing the message of working
hard off the field."
As a member of the Big East Conference, the nation's largest and most
competitive women's Division I soccer conference, the Panthers will face
numerous difficult opponents this season; including nationally ranked Notre
Dame and West Virginia. In all, Pitt will play a total of 18 games on the
year, 11 of which are Big East Conference matches.
The Panthers kickoff their season with six non-conference matches beginning
with an opening home game against Buffalo on Aug. 21at Founders Field.
Although the beginning of the season is dominated by non-conference
opponents including: Ohio State, Drexel and Penn, which Chin said "creates a
good balance of competitors." However, Big East competition will prove to be
an exciting challenge for Pitt as they face three teams that advanced to the
NCAA tournament in 2008.
Pitt will host school rival and nationally ranked West Virginia on Sept. 18
for its first conference match of the season. This match will mark the
beginning of an arduous six-game schedule which includes Notre Dame, the
College Cup Runner-Up in the 2008 NCAA Tournament and Marquette, another
conference team which competed in last year's College Cup.
Despite the challenge, Chin welcomes the arduous schedule both in and out of
the conference. However, she noted that this year's conference games are
going to be rather exciting. "It's almost as if each game is a championship
match where anything is possible, which makes the season not only exciting
but fulfilling" as the Panthers have the opportunity to continuously raise
their level of play and come away from each match with a completely
different learning experience.
FORWARDS
Pitt returns four forwards from last year's team, including offensive
standout Ashley Habbel. A senior and most experienced forward on the squad,
Habbel led the Panthers offensively in 2008 with six goals, one assist, 13
points and three game-winning goals. She not only holds these marks from the
past season but ranks among the school's all-time career leaders in goals
(second, 17), points (second, 40) and shots (third, 90) needing only one
goal and eight points to become the school's all-time leader in each
respective category.
"Ashley is a great competitor who has the ability to affect her teammates to
play harder" said Chin. "Most importantly though, she understands the big
picture, the goals that we have set for this team." This season, look for
Habbel to contribute a stellar senior season, bringing a distinct offense
presence to the Panthers.
Also returning for the Panthers are sophomores Klarissa Ames and Brittany
Pfaff who appeared in 15 and nine games respectively as freshmen last year.
This season they look to bring offensive flare and an impact off the bench
when needed.
The Panthers also welcome high school standout Ashley Cuba who chose to
graduate early and enroll at Pitt for the spring semester. "It was a great
decision for numerous reasons," Chin said. "It allowed her to see the speed
of play, the strength of the players and everything about playing at the
college level. Entering the fall season, she is at an advantage having a
familiarity with this level of play."
Cuba has been recognized nationally throughout her high school career as a
two-time All-America nominee and has received such prestigious accolades as
the Ohio State Gatorade Player of the Year and ESPN Player of the Week.
MIDFIELDERS
Midfield provides the most depth and stability for the Panthers this season
as the team welcomes back eight seasoned letterwinners.
Sophomore Katelyn Ruhe made quite an impression during her first year at
Pitt. She went on to start all 20 contests and finished the season with five
goals, two assists and 12 points. Looking to build off of her first
collegiate season, Ruhe is a key player to watch in 2009.
Entering their third year with the Panthers, juniors Laura Berbert and Liz
Carroll have proven to be valuable performers. Berbert has started all 38
career games and played nearly every minute of every game last year.
Although she may not put up high offensive numbers, she is the backbone in
this large group of midfielders and will once again serve as an extremely
valuable player for the Panthers.
Carroll has moved between forward and midfield for the past two years but
has established a place on the middle line. She has played in all 38 games
of her collegiate career and proved to be a consistent offensive threat for
the Panthers. Following a season which saw Carroll score four goals and an
assist, she looks to not only match, but surpass those numbers this year.
Senior Katie Caslin appeared in all 20 matches last season, contributing one
goal and two assists for the Panthers. This year, alongside junior Alexander
Jaffe, they look to provide experience and versatility in the midfield.
The Panthers also welcome back three other midfielders in junior Katheryn
Kunugi and sophomores Maura Lacey and Molly McGeehin, who will compete with
freshmen Danielle Benner, Hayley Neal and Lyndsay Pierson for playing time
this fall.
BACKFIELD
With the loss of Kylie Veverka there is a void to fill in the backfield this
season. However, the Panthers are looking to add more depth defensively to
their roster as they return key players and welcome others to compete for
playing time and earn spots in the backfield.
This year's backfield will be anchored by junior Kat Weiler who has started
all 38 games of her career. Last season Weiler proved once again not only to
be a valuable player in the backfield, but made strides offensively,
contributing the Panthers lone goal against Toledo and adding two assists.
With just two years of collegiate play under her belt, Chin describes Weiler
as a "seasoned player who brings not only a physical style of play to the
team, but a distinct understanding of the game as well, possessing an
uncanny ability to read plays in numerous situations."
Kat will be accompanied by senior Maura Caslin, who was moved to the
backfield last season. Chin explained that after making the move "we found
that the position suited her well" and that "she will certainly serve as a
leader in the backfield this season."
Joining Weiler and Caslin will be senior Molly Griganavicius along with
juniors Rebecca Fraser and Christina Nicassio, who will provide experienced
backfield support for the Panthers. As a unit, all three players represent
and solidify the defensive-minded mentality of the team with solid
performances as defenders.
"In the past two years Rebecca has really come into her own" Chin said. "She
is a truly formidable defender: tough and tenacious, who will bring a great
presence to our defensive unit this season."
After completing her first year with the Panthers, Chin is looking to
sophomore Kelsi Morris to be a "valuable asset in this year's backfield."
Expect to see more of Morris this season, who added depth to the defense in
2008 while appearing in 13 matches
Sophomores Shannon Cody and Dorie Heald, along with newcomers Abby Baldys
and Megan Swiderski will also compete for playing time this year and look to
make an impact off the bench.
GOALKEEPER
Pitt returns two talented and experienced goalkeepers in senior Alison Finch
and junior Morie Kephart.
After earning the starting position two games into the 2008 season, Kephart
fulfilled her duties in the net after appearing in only six games as a
freshman goaltender. Last year she started in the final 18 matches, made 69
saves and accumulated a stellar 1.14 goals against average: the lowest
single-season goals against average in Pitt women's soccer history. She also
registered four shutouts for the Panthers and made a career-high seven saves
against Pennsylvania.
Senior Allison Finch has appeared in 35 career games as goalkeeper for the
Panthers and owns a 1.78 career goals against average. Through her three
year career she has made 153 saves, registered seven shutouts and made a
career-high nine saves. This season she will add a competitive mix to the
goalkeeper selection.
Also vying for playing time as goalkeeper is sophomore Kristina Rioux, who
joined the Panthers in 2008 from the renowned Shattuck-St. Mary's High
School in Minnesota. Although she did not see any game action last season,
Rioux is coming off of a stellar spring performance and will challenge for
playing time in 2009.
In regards to this year's goalkeeper selection, Chin said that "Morie is the
frontrunner to beat this season, but both Finch and Rioux will provide an
interesting-mix up and competitiveness amongst the three to fight for the
starting position. This season will prove to be interesting between the
three, as we look to see who prevails and forces the others to challenge for
the goalkeeper position."
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