Aurora, N.Y. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford men's soccer team finished the season with a win on Tuesday as they defeated Wells 1-0.
The Panthers took the first shot of the game but quickly were put under attack by the Express, as the hosts hit the woodwork in the 4th and then put three shots on goal over the first 15 minutes, all of which were saved by starting keeper Evan Schmidt. Pitt-Bradford took control at the 20-minute mark, as they put 4 shots on target in a four-minute span. In the 29th, the Panthers were able to go ahead. Connor Rudsell received a pass and dribbled around a Wells defender in the final third, he was able to place a through pass to Devin Stowe behind the defense. Stowe shot on his first touch and placed his effort just inside the far post to put the Panthers ahead. Schmidt made three more saves over the final 15 minutes to preserve the lead heading into the break.
Jared Scarlett took over for Schmidt to start the second half, as the pair of senior keepers split their final collegiate game. Scarlett was forced into a save after 6 minutes and went on to add 7 more throughout the half to maintain the shutout. The Panthers' best opportunity to double their lead came in the final 5 minutes. Pitt-Bradford was able to find space down the left wing, and after a fancy bit of dribbling, sent a short pass to Spencer Sklar in the middle of the box. Sklar took a touch and unleashed a shot that found the crossbar and bounced away. The Panthers were able to regain possession, but Devin Stowe's shot finished down the middle and was saved by the Wells keeper.
Devin Stowe scored the game-winning goal with his one-time effort in the 29th minute. it was his 6th of the season. He finished the game with 6 shots, putting four of them on goal. Spencer Sklar and Will Smith both had 3 shots in the game, with Sklar hitting the target twice, and Smith once. Freshmen Brady Hathaway and Bailee Verdill each took two shots and put them both on goal. Pitt-Bradford's pair of senior goalkeepers combined for a shutout in the game. Schmidt started and made 7 saves in the first half, while Scarlett made 8 in the second.
The Panthers finish their season with a 2-12-2 record and a 2-6-1 record in AMCC play. They were tied for 7th in the end-of-season conference standings.
