The women's soccer team defeated Pittsburgh 3-0 on Sunday, after losing to No. 23 West Virginia 4-0 on Friday.
The Pirates responded in a big way, shutting out Pittsburgh behind a strong effort from Bond. With the win, Seton Hall improved its record to 3-1-0 in the Big East and 7-2-2 overall, the team's best start since 1997 and equaling their win total from last season.
Against the Panthers, the Pirates took an early lead only five minutes into the game. Sophomore Katie Ritter scored her team-leading sixth goal of the year on an assist from senior Taylor Wilson, last week's Big East Offensive Player of the Week.
In the 66 minute, Wilson scored on a free kick. Approximately 12 minutes later, senior Caitlyn Milazzo headed in her second goal of the season for the 3-0 lead, and eventual win.
Seton Hall outshot Pittsburgh 13-12, including eight shots on goal to the Panthers' three. Corner kicks were also 5-4 in favor of the Pirates.
Tambi acknowledged the strong play of both Wilson and Ritter.
"Taylor has been instrumental for us in setting up scoring chances and scoring goals," Tambi said. "She has a great shot and is a solid passer who has come through in the clutch."
Tambi also added that Ritter has improved her technical skills, and works extremely hard for her scoring opportunities.
Bond made three saves in the victory and recorded her third shutout of the season. For her efforts against West Virginia and Pittsburgh, she was named to the Big East Conference Weekly Honor Roll, after earning Big East Goalkeeper of the Week the past two weeks.
"Lizzie [Bond] has done a fantastic job, and has risen to the occasion," Tambi said.
Tambi added the win was a testament to the character of Bond and the team to bounce back from the tough loss at West Virginia.
Against the Mountaineers, the game was scoreless until Bry McCarthy scored on a shot into the upper right corner, beating Pirates senior goalkeeper Elizabeth Bond. McCarthy would score again on a corner kick in the opening minutes of the second half to make it 2-0.
West Virginia added two more goals in the 58th and 75th minutes of the second half to secure the win. The Mountaineers outshot the Pirates 29-11, and tallied 13 corner kicks to Seton Hall's four.
Head coach Kazbek Tambi praised the efforts of his team against a tough opponent.
"Give West Virginia some credit; they are a talented team," Tambi said. "We played a good first half, and only gave up a late goal. The rest of the goals came in bunches, and we put ourselves in a hole."
With a game against Syracuse next, Tambi believes they must try and find their ‘A' game to see if they can do something special against the Orange.
The Pirates will host Syracuse Friday at 7 p.m.
Christopher Shedlock can be reached at Christopher.shedlock@student.shu.edu.
