BRADFORD, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's soccer team was defeated by Westminster (Pa.) on a clear, warm afternoon at the Kessel Athletic Complex Thursday.

Westminster (6-2) used a strong second half to defeat Pitt-Bradford (1-6), 6-1.

"Tough loss today," Head Coach Melissa Lincoln said. "But, we are ready to turn things around Saturday as we start conference play."

The two teams hung strong for a majority of the first half until the Titans struck first on a cross from the right side to the middle in the 31st minute. 

Westminster eventually held on to take a 1-0 lead into halftime.

Five minutes into the second half, the Titans grabbed their second goal, this time on a cross from the left side.

In the 57th minute, the Panthers' keeper Emily Bethel came forward to play a possible scoring chance and collided with the offensive player, sending the ball wide.

But Bethel was whistled for a yellow card and the Titans were rewarded with a penalty kick.

Bethel dove to her left side and sent the attempt wide, keeping the PK from the back of the net.

But, two more goals for the Titans in the 66th and 70th minutes put the Titans ahead 4-0.

In the 74th minute, a through ball got past Bethel and the Panther defense, and the Titans finished to go up 5-0.

The Titans' final goal came off a corner kick in the 83rd minute.

A minute later, the Panthers sent a long ball just inside the Titans' box. Katie Keller gave chase and collided with the Westminster keeper.

Her hustle play resulted in a Pitt-Bradford penalty kick and the Panthers' best chance to score on the day, which Courtney Shade took advantage of and buried in the middle-right side.

The strike is Shade's first of the season.

Westminster eventually held on for the 6-1 victory.

Shade, Megan Rose and Meghan Thomas each fired a shot for the Panthers. 

Bethel made 10 saves for Pitt-Bradford in goal, playing all 90 minutes.

Up next, the Panthers will head to Mount Aloysius Saturday for their first AMCC action of the season.