Pitt Women’s Soccer Ends Tumultuous Season by Defeating No. 1 Notre Dame
Pitt women’s soccer concluded a challenging season with an unexpected victory over top-ranked Notre Dame at Ambrose Urbanic Field last week. The decisive goal came in the 85th minute when junior defender Mya Archibald headed in a late corner kick from senior forward Margaret Wilde, securing the lead for the Panthers.
Junior goalkeeper Abby Reisz delivered one of her best performances of the season, making six saves, including a crucial stop in the first half that halted Notre Dame’s early surge.
“Notre Dame only needed a win or a draw to claim the ACC regular-season title, with the trophy literally waiting beneath Ambrose Urbanic Field.”
Despite this, Pitt played with determination. Led by junior captain Olivia Lee, the Panthers’ defense remained disciplined and compact, successfully limiting Notre Dame’s dangerous scoring opportunities. A team that had previously scored eight goals in one match was kept scoreless by the resilient underdog Panthers, who refused to witness a trophy presentation on their home turf.
This victory marks the first time in program history that Pitt women’s soccer has defeated a No. 1 ranked opponent. The Panthers ended the season with a 6-10-2 record overall and just two ACC wins, facing challenges in maintaining consistency within one of the country’s most competitive women’s conferences.
Author’s summary: Pitt women’s soccer capped a difficult season with a historic upset over No. 1 Notre Dame, showcasing resilience despite a tough overall record.