Sept. 7, 2001
GREENSBORO, NC - Pittsburgh senior midfielder Katrina Shibata buried a direct free kick from the top of the box at the 75:52 mark to give the Panthers a thrilling, 3-2, victory over Western Carolina in the opening match of the adidas/Spartan Classic at UNCG Soccer Stadium Friday night.
The Panthers (2-1) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on the Catamounts (3-1) at the 17:26 mark on Jacqueline Fix's second goal of the season. The junior forward beat Camount goalkeeper Mandi Tinsley from eight yards out. Cande Ruiz-Bradbury added the assist.
The teams went back-and-forth, but each goalkeeper was strong between the pipes. Pittsburgh netminder Gretchen Ross was equal to each and every Western Carolina attack. Tinsley was not to be outdone. The Catamount goalkeeper registerd five saves in the first-half.
Pittsburgh opened the second-half with an early goal. Cande Ruiz-Bradbury gained possesion of a loose ball right in the Catamount six-yard box. Kimbery Sturk's corner kick was sent into the mixer and after a scramble for the ball, Ruiz-Bradbury slipped it past Tinsley.
Despite trailing by two goals, the Catamounts picked up its pace of play. Western Carolina came right back and scored just 20 seconds later. Kelly Barker took the ensuing free kick and lobbed a perfectly placed shot into the far right corner from nearly 30 yards out. The Catamounts kept up the attack and were awarded with another goal after a direct free kick. Jordan Howell blistered a 25-yard cannon past a sprawling Ross into the right corner.
With the score tied, 2-2, both teams continued the offensive minded play. In fact, Western Carolina had a pair of golden opportunities to take the lead, but Ross made two spectacular saves. The senior goalkeeper stoned Brandy Ossmann and Jordan Howell, each from deep inside the box.
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Pittsburgh returns to action, Sunday, at 3:30 pm versus UNCG while Western Carolina faces Virginia Tech at 1 pm.
