Pitt women’s soccer team routs Cleveland State 5-0

The Pitt women’s soccer team opened up its home slate with a game against Cleveland State at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Thursday night, and the matchup would go down as a one-sided beatdown, with the Panthers routing the Vikings by a score of 5-0.

Amanda West would get things started for Pitt with a goal in the 16th minute that extended her scoring streak to three games. And just three minutes later, Athalie Palomo would find Emily Yaple with a well-placed pass, setting up Yaple for her second goal of the season.

The Panthers would add a third goal before halftime, as Sarah Schupansky entered the game and lofted a shot over the head of Cleveland State goalkeeper Miranda Thomas. The goal came just 23 seconds after Schupansky was subbed in for Landy Mertz.

Bri Hilsenteger would add a fourth goal for Pitt less than two minutes into the second half, thanks in part to an assist from Ellie Coffield. And after a half-hour passed with no change in the score, Schupansky was once again subbed in, and once again, she took no time at all to make an impact, as she knocked in a shot one minute and 13 seconds after taking the field. The brace was the first of Schupansky’s career, and it gave her three goals on the season.

Thursday night’s game marked the first time the Panthers scored five goals against an opponent since Sept. 13, 2020, when Pitt beat Appalachian State 7-1. It was also the most lopsided shutout Pitt has posted during Randy Waldrum’s tenure with the program. And with the win, Pitt improved to 3-0 on the season, while Cleveland State fell to 1-2.

Next up for Pitt is a matchup with NJIT. The Highlanders went 2-6-1 in 2020 and are off to a 0-3 start to the 2021 season. That game is set to get underway from Ambrose Urbanic Field at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.