Aug. 27, 2007

      Under the guidance of fifth year coach Sue-Moy Chin, the 2007 Pitt women's soccer team is prepared to take the next step to emerge as one of the top teams in the Big East Conference. Through instilling a tough-defensive mentality, Chin has guided Pitt to back-to-back Big East Tournament appearances for the first time in school history and tied a school record for wins with eight victories in 2006.

      The first .500 record in school history was a step in the right direction for the program. Chin is excited for the future and believes the program is ready to take the next step.

      "We are very happy with the progress of the program," Chin said. "But we are not satisfied and we have a long way to go before we are where we want to be. We want to keep the momentum going. If we can take care of business in-season, then we can have a good seed for the Big East Tournament and maybe even receive an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament."

      With the departure of a five member senior class due to graduation, all of which were starters, Chin will look to her three seniors and a full cast of underclassmen to fill the void. Seniors Stephanie Davis, Janean Gardner and Rachel Vecchio will assume leadership of a team filled with youthful talent. Pitt returns six starters and 18 letterwinners along with three of its top offensive players.

      "I really am looking forward to seeing who steps up and provides leadership," Chin said. "This team has a lot of talent to go along with the experience. Every successful team needs senior leadership and once we get that leadership, we feel we can keep improving and reach our ultimate goal." 

      Since her arrival, Chin has used recruiting as a tool to establish a strong foundation for the program. This year was no different as Pitt has brought in a talented nine member class that Chin hopes to spark an already talented team.

      "From day one, defense has been our cornerstone and will remain our strength," Chin said. "I feel that we have brought in enough talented players that we have to step up our attacking game and become more of an offensive force."

      Pitt went to overtime six times last year and finished 1-2-3 in those games. Pitt lost four games by one goal including three that were decided in overtime. Chin is hoping that her 2007 Panthers will put the experience of those tight games to use and reverse those results.

      "If this team can learn to close out games, a few of those ties and one goal loses from a year ago can turn into victories for us," Chin said. "Our main focus is that every game we have to play a full 90 minutes."

 

FORWARDS

 

      Pitt returns five forwards from last year's squad including redshirt junior Meta Haley and sophomore Ashley Habbel, two of the team's top offensive returnees. Haley, who started 14 games in 2006, finished second on the team in goals with five goals and added one assist. Habbel will look to keep the momentum of an impressive freshmen campaign in which she tied the team lead with six goals, two of which were key game winners. She has a bright future with the Panthers.

      "Meta is probably the hardest and most accurate striker we have," Chin said. "She is extremely talented in creating with her feet. If she can stay healthy, she will have a strong season. Even though Ashley is only a sophomore, I really think she can be the on field leader that we need. She is very talented. I really feel she has the potential to be the best forward in Pitt history."

      Also returning at forward will be senior Janean Gardner and sophomore Jenna Greenfield. Gardner has seen action in 41 career games and has two assists while Greenfield played in nine games last year.

      "Janean is our strongest on-ball player," Chin said. "We look for her to contribute in her first injury free season."

      Sophomore Iris Boivin will compete for playing time after sitting out the 2006 season due to NCAA rules. She is a transfer from the U.S. Naval Academy, where she started 12 games, registered five goals, five assists and 15 points as a freshman in 2005.

      Freshman Liz Carroll will look to come in and vie for playing time as a forward.

      "Liz was a highly touted recruit who I feel could come in make an immediate impact," Chin said.

 

MIDFIELDERS

 

      Junior Jennifer Kritch along with sophomores Katie Caslin and Megan Watson all return as three of the team's top midfielders and offensive players. Kritch, who has started 25 of her 35 career games, led Pitt in assists while registering three goals last year, tied the school's scoring record with three goals in a victory over Binghamton. Watson will look to improve upon an impressive freshmen year where she contributed two goals and two assists while starting in 16 of Pitt's 19 games. Caslin, who saw action in all 19 contests last year, registered one goal and three assists.

      "Jennifer is a potential leader for us," Chin said. "We look for her to carry over her success into her junior year. Megan is the motor of the midfield. She plays so hard and has a great work ethic. Katie made a strong transition as a freshman and is a solid, technical play. All three will play key roles for us this year."

      Senior Rachel Vecchio and sophomore Maura Caslin will all add to midfield depth and push for playing time. When healthy, Vecchio has been a key contributor.

      The midfield will again prove to be one of the deeper positions on the team as newcomers Laura Berbert, Alexandra Jaffe and Katheryn Kunugi will compete for playing time.

 

BACKFIELD

 

      With the loss of three talented and experienced seniors from the 2006 squad, Chin will look to senior Stephanie Davis, junior Kylie Veverka and sophomores A'idah Clinton and Molly Griganavicius to reestablish Pitt's strength from a year ago.

      Davis, who saw action in 12 games as a junior, will be a player who Chin looks to provide senior leadership. Ververka, who has seen action in 26 career games including six starts, is arguably the team's most versatile player.

      "Stephanie really emerged her junior year," Chin said. "She really understands the game well and I really expect her to improve and have a strong senior year. With her speed, Kylie is able to do so much. Throughout her career she has probably played every position. Having versatile players is vital to a team. Molly had a successful freshman season and we're looking for her to provide depth for us again. A'idah is fast and physical and she has shown that she can be a brilliant defender when healthy."

      With only four returning defenders in the backfield, Chin expects three freshmen including Rebecca Fraser, Christina Nicassio and Kat Weiler to contribute immediately and compete for playing time.

      "We really think these three newcomers can come in and add solid depth to our team," Chin said. "Fraser can really be an immediate impact player for us."

 

GOALKEEPER

 

      At goalkeeper, the Panthers return sophomore Alison Finch. Faced with the task of replacing an All-Big East performer and four-year starter Jamie Pelusi in 2006, Finch turned into a pleasant surprise. After earning the starting job as a freshmen walk-on, Finch started 18 of 19 games, made 81 saves and allowed only 1.59 goals per game. She also recorded three shutouts. Chin looks for Finch to pick up right where she left off and to continue to get better.

      "Alison is just a great story," Chin said. "To come in and start during her freshman year as a walk-on is just unbelievable. She is just a natural athlete with quick feet and good hands."

      Also returning is sophomore Renee Pilch, who will serve as a backup to Finch. Newcomers Morie Kephart and Megan Valeski both could push for playing time.

 

THE SCHEDULE

 

      The Panthers will once again face a difficult schedule against some of the nation's top teams. In all, Pitt will play a total of 18 games including 11 Big East Conference opponents.

      Pitt opens its 2007 campaign on August 31 against Youngstown State at Founders Field. The non-conference schedule also features visits to Founders Field from Niagara, Ohio and Xavier, while Pitt will travel to Georgia State, Auburn and Kent State.

      "I think our non-conference schedule will provide us some good tests heading into our Big East competition," Chin said.

      Big East competition opens on Sept. 21 at home against West Virginia. Pitt will take on Big East opponents Syracuse, Louisville, Marquette and South Florida all at Founders Field. The Panthers will travel to St. John's, Connecticut, Providence, Villanova and Georgetown. The Big East Tournament begins on Nov. 1.

      "The Big East is a tough, outstanding conference," Chin said. "Sending seven teams to the NCAA tournament says it all. Every game is a challenge."