PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Navy women's soccer team ran into a Pittsburgh squad that continues to roll in its 2020 season and fell by a score of 4-1 on Sunday at Ambrose Urbanic Field. Trailing 3-0 at half, the Mids (0-2) played the Panthers (8-2, 2-2 ACC) nearly even in the second half, but it wasn't enough to help the visitors avenge an earlier 1-0 overtime loss this season to Pitt. Caitlin Doran (So., Queens, N.Y.) highlighted Navy's play on Sunday as she netted her first career goal in the 63rd minute.
 
"This was a tough game," remarked head coach Carin Gabarra. "Our team defending struggled and seemed disconnected at times. It will always be hard to beat a strong opponent like Pitt, but giving up three set piece goals didn't help our cause today. I was pleased with some of the looks we got in the attacking third and especially happy for Caitlin's goal. She's such a courageous and fearless player and we are so happy that she showed no signs of missing a beat after suffering a really rough injury from a collision with their keeper last game. Her play was definitely a positive."
 
Pittsburgh controlled much of the action early in the game as the Panthers tallied the contest's first eight shots and 11 of the 12 total shots in the first half. Navy thwarted Pitt's first dangerous offensive threat in the 15th minute when Carolyn Mang (Jr., Forest Hill, Md.) intercepted a Chantelle Parker cross into the box and cleared it away from an in-coming Panther attacker.
 
Pittsburgh's pressure eventually resulted in the game's first goal in the 17th minute when Anna Rico converted a free kick from 25 yards out. Ten minutes later, Pitt made it 2-0 as Amanda West found space on the back post and volleyed home a cross.
 
In the final third of the first half, Navy's offense started making in-roads as the midfield started building up passes toward Pitt's goal. Emily Keast (Sr., Springfield, Va.) manufactured the Mids' first deep challenge as she swung a cross into the box to a charging Kat Healey (Fr., King George, Va.), who collided with a Pittsburgh defender before garnering possession. In the 35th minute, Navy recorded its first shot on goal of the game as Jenna Daunt (Fr., Battlefield, Va.) stole the ball in the midfield and dribbled towards net before taking a shot from distance, requiring Pitt's goalkeeper Caitlin Lazzarini to make the save.
 
The host Panthers extended their lead to 3-0 before the halftime intermission as Leah Pais deflected in Kate McKay free kick in the 39th minute.
 
After showing glimpses of an offensive spark down the stretch of the first half, the Mids came out with more energy and chances in the attacking third as Keast and Molly Gillcrist (Jr., San Diego, Calif.) each tallied shots in the 48th minute. Keast's attempt was particularly threatening as she juked a defender towards the top of the box and unleashed a stiff shot towards goal that just eeked over the crossbar.
 
Navy continued testing Pitt's defense and the Mids found success in the form of a Sadie McCaleb (So., Loganton, Pa.)-Caitlin Doran connection in the 63rd minute. At 62:13, McCaleb hit a looping cross to the back side of the box where Doran caught the ball out of mid-air and snapped off a strong volley into the back of the net.
 
The 3-1 margin was short lived as West converted a penalty kick a little over two minutes later at 64:37.
 
That was the extent of the offense on Sunday as the game stayed at that 4-1 score for the final 25-plus minutes.
 
Newly inserted into the game in the 79th minute, Mattie Gallagher (Fr., Gilbertsville, Pa.) left her mark in her collegiate debut as she snared a hard low shot by West three minutes into her action. She also made a leaping grab off of a Pitt corner kick in the 85th minute.
 
"While this wasn't the result that we were hoping for, we will learn from this game and continue to work on making improvements," said Gabarra. "We are happy that we were able to play today and appreciate the support that the NAAA and Naval Academy showed and helping to make this game happen."
 
For the game, Pitt outshot Navy, 18-7 with a 7-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Mids had six corner kick opportunities versus three for the Panthers.
 
Navy will conclude its abridged 2020 fall schedule with a road contest at Virginia Tech on Saturday, October 24.