The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's soccer team traveled to Pittsburgh on Saturday to take on Carlow at Highmark Field. The Panthers took an early lead, but could not hold onto it, ultimately falling to the Celtics 3-2.
The Panthers got off to another quick start, taking a 1-0 lead after 4 minutes of play. Emily Gibbons controlled a headed ball from the back line and beat a midfielder with a quick turn to start a break. She found Lauren Donnelly across midfield who was able to play a through-ball behind the defense for Avery Yard. Yard ran onto the pass and from the 18-yard box fired a shot into the top left corner.
Both teams had shots stopped over the next half hour until the Panthers took advantage of a Carlow error to double their advantage. After Pitt-Bradford cleared a Carlow attack, Avery Benzel and Yard continued a high press as the ball moved into the defensive third. The Celtic defender attempted to pass back to the goalkeeper, but mishit the ball, leaving it short of the box. Yard was able to beat the keeper to the ball, touch it around her, and slide a shot into the vacant net.
The hosts broke the momentum three minutes later. Following a foul in a dangerous area, Carlow shot the resulting free kick, beating Mackenzie Harmon high to cut the lead in half. The Celtics had multiple chances in the half to tie the game, but Harmon made 5 saves over the last 10 minutes of the half to preserve the lead heading into the break.
The Panther advantage only lasted 15 minutes into the half. Off of a throw-in, Carlow created a breakaway with a short lofted pass over the defense. Harmon attempted to sprint out to cut off the attack but was caught out of her goal and was beaten by a chipped shot for the equalizer.
Carlow controlled the majority of play after the 2nd goal and was able to go in front in the 74th. The Panthers turned the ball over after a goal kick, and a miss-hit clearance allowed the hosts to attack down the right flank. The Celtics attacker was able to send a cross into the box that Harmon got a hand on, but Carlow reacted to the loose ball first and shot it into the open goal for the winner.
Pitt-Bradford had two chances in the final few minutes to tie the match at three. Harmon made a save in the 86th and sent a punt into Carlow territory, Gianna Gomez settled it with her head and seemed to send Yard on a fast break with a through ball, but the Panther attacker was deemed offside, bringing the attack to an end. Three minutes later, Ainslie Gardner drew a foul and a free kick on the right flank. Gomez stepped up to try and put a shot on net but saw her effort caught on the goal line.
Avery Yard scored both Panther goals on 3 shots on goal. Lauren Donnelly assisted the first goal and also had one shot on target. Mackenzie Harmon made 11 saves in the Panther goal.
The loss drops Pitt-Bradford to 5-3-2 overall, with a 0-2-1 record in AMCC play. They will be back in action on Wednesday for a midweek match-up at Penn State Behrend.
