Pitt women’s soccer team falls 2-1 to No. 19 Virginia Tech

The Pitt women’s soccer team hosted No. 19 Virginia Tech at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Saturday night hoping to extend its run of success after a 2-0 win over Miami. But instead, the team suffered a 2-1 defeat.

The Hokies struck first, as Virginia Tech midfielder Emily Gray found the back of the net after corralling a loose ball that popped free after a collision between Pitt goalkeeper Katherine Robinson and Pitt defender Kate McKay in the 15th minute. Pitt would be unable to respond in the remaining half-hour of the first half, leaving the score 1-0 at halftime.

In the 64th minute, Pitt defender Ashton Gordon converted a penalty kick to put the Panthers on the board and level the score. However, despite a serious effort by the Panthers to pull out in front during the second half, it was the Hokies who took a late lead on a second goal by Gray in the 83rd minute. That would put them up 2-1, and with no response from Pitt, that would be the final score.

With the loss, Pitt fell to 8-4 on the season and 1-3 in conference. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech improved to 8-2-2 and 2-0-2 in the ACC. Pitt will look to get back on track on Thursday, when it hosts No. 5 North Carolina. That matchup is set to get underway at 7 p.m. ET.