AMCC Champs! Pitt-Greensburg Wins 1st Conference Title, Clinches Berth Into NCAA Tournament

Photo courtesy Pitt-Greensburg women's soccer

The Pitt-Greensburg Bobcats are going to the dance after their 3-2 victory over Penn State Behrend Lions in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Tournament Championship game Saturday afternoon.

On a cold and windy day in Greensburg, it didn’t take long for the Bobcats to make something happen.

Not even five minutes into the match. the Bobcats build up possession from its back line up through freshman midfielder Alexsia Barlamas (Freedom), who then crossed it to junior Allie Grimm (Connellsville), who volleyed the well-played cross in the back of the net, giving Pitt-Greensburg the early 1-0 lead.

Early and often, the Bobcats took advantage of a lot of space in their offensive third and continued to create grade A scoring chances, but could not find the second goal.

The Lions pressured the Bobcats back line, but for the most part Pitt-Greensburg absorbed the pressure.

Eventually, in the 27th minute, Lions’ forward Brenna McGuire (South Fayette), leveled the match.

It looked like it was going to remain tied at the half.

Late in the first half, Bobcats’ midfielder Erika Caldro (South Allegheny), who provided a lot of energy for the Bobcats on Saturday, along with Grimm and Barlamas, created a magical moment.

Caldro took the ball down the right side of the field, and from a sharp angle she drilled a well-placed shot into the top left corner of the net that give the Bobcats a 2-1 lead — the momentum of the match into the half.

In the 2nd half, Pitt-Greensburg just tilted the field in their favor, took control of the game and capitalized on a Lions mistake.

That mistake came in the 50th minute, as was a handball by a Lions’ defender came inside PSU-Behrend’s box.

This allowed for freshman Ashley Lucas to step up to convert the penalty kick to give the Bobcats a 3-1 lead.

Late in the 2nd half, Lions’ sophomore Payton Porter cut the deficit to 3-2.

Pitt-Greensburg was able to control the possession for the remainder of the match, with Lucas and sophomore Tiffany Michalek controlling the midfield and possession — playing keep away from the Lions to clinch the conference title.

This was the 1st Conference Tournament Championship for the Bobcats in program history — and they now wait and see what seed and where they will be playing in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Talking to Head Coach Chuck Wigle and Midfielder Erika Caldro after the game, they said they are going to celebrate this one, get together to watch the brackets and as Caldro added, get back to training and keep this season going.

The NCAA Selection show will air Monday at 1 pm and will be available to watch on ncaa.com.

PSN’S Matt Harkins 1-on-1 Postgame with Pitt-Greensburg Head Coach Chuck Wigle:

PSN’S Matt Harkins 1-on-1 Postgame with Pitt-Greensburg Junior Midfielder Erika Caldro: