Bradford, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford men's soccer team hosted the Fredonia Blue Devils on the turf at Rathburn Family Field on Wednesday night. The Panthers fell behind early and lost the match 9-1.
The visitors took the lead two minutes following a corner kick. The Panthers' defense cleared the ball twice, but after starting keeper Troy Van Sickle parried a long-distance shot, the rebound fell to another attacker who slipped the ball into the open net. They doubled their advantage in the 19th minute, scoring a goal on a counterattack with a one-time finish at the back post.
Fredonia added two more in a two-minute span beginning in the 26th minute. Both goals took advantage of errors in the Panther defense. For the third goal of the game, a Panther defender attempted a tackle in the center of the park but did not end the attack. The Fredonia State attacker continued through the tackle and toward the goal, releasing a long, curved shot that found the side netting. Moments later, a Pitt-Bradford fullback lost his footing and slipped to the ground. The Fredonia Winger pounced on the opportunity.
The visitors added a 5th goal of the half in the 39th minute, beating Pitt-Bradford's defensive line to the touchline and sending a cross into the box for a one-time finish. Just after the goal, the Panthers put their first shot of the game on target, as Brady Hillman's long-distance shot was stopped by the Fredonia keeper.
Pitt-Bradford made wholesale changes at the break and was able to hold off the Blue Devil attack for 20 minutes. They finally broke in the 67th minute when a deflected shot spun towards the back post where a Fredonia attacker got to the ball first and bundled a shot into the goal from close range. The Blue Devils added their 7th of the game on another putback after a stop by Van Sickle and then the 8th from the penalty spot. They closed their scoring in the 77th, heading in a shot after a short corner.
The Panthers were able to finish on a high note, scoring in the 87th minute through freshman Reiss Gaines. He took advantage of an errant pass out of the back from the Fredonia Goalkeeper and after a touch quickly fired a shot that slipped under the diving keeper for the Panthers' goal. It was the first of the freshman's collegiate career. Mamady Traore found some space in the attacking half in the final seconds and unleashed a hard shot, but it sailed over the net for a goal kick.
Reiss Gaines scored the Panthers' only goal of the game on his only shot. Brady Hillman also put a shot on goal, while Mamady Traore, Kyle Carlsen, and Ward Kennedy all had efforts that were blocked or missed the target. Troy Van Sickle played all 90 minutes, making 8 saves.
The Panthers fall to 0-7 after the loss. They will begin conference play on Saturday when they travel to Pitt-Greensburg. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m.
