Pitt women’s soccer team falls to No. 5 North Carolina 1-0

The Pitt women’s soccer team hosted No. 5 North Carolina at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Thursday night, and while the Panthers were able to withstand the Tar Heels’ onslaught of scoring opportunities for the majority of the game, they were eventually defeated 1-0.

The first half came and went with neither side able to get on the board. However, North Carolina was the more aggressive team, as it reeled off nine shots to Pitt’s two in the first 45 minutes. And that trend would continue in the second half, with the Tar Heels outshooting the Panthers 15-1 and putting eight on target.

North Carolina’s approach would pay off in the 81st minute, as Tar Heels forward Avery Patterson was credited with a goal. However, the call was controversial, as Panthers defender Chloe Minas appeared to fend off the shot. But after a review, the call was upheld, and North Carolina went up 1-0. And with Pitt overmatched and forced to play from behind, the game slipped away shortly after that.

With the loss, Pitt fell to 8-5 overall and 1-4 in conference play, with all four ACC losses coming in the last five games. The road ahead does not get any easier either, as Pitt’s next opponent is No. 4 Duke. The two teams will meet at Koskinen Stadium in Durham on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET.