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Early Season Stumble for Panthers: Buffalo spoils No. 7 Pitt women’s soccer team’s home opener, 2-1

Photo courtesy Pitt Athletics

Final: Buffalo 2, Pitt 1

Match Stats 

Match Summary:

No. 7 Pitt stumbled against visiting Buffalo, losing its home opener, 2-1, at Ambrose Urbanic Field late Thursday afternoon.

Pitt fell victim not once, but twice by Buffalo balls sent into the box which the Panthers failed to clear away.

Kaya Schultz and Jasmine Guerber scored for the Bulls, while Pitt’s lone goal came from Samiah Phiri in the 24th minute. Buffalo’s goalkeeper, Lexie Thompson stood tall, making nine saves in the match.

Despite dominating most of the statistical categories, Pitt could not convert on its chances, wasting away a 28-10 shots edge, and while they held the possession advantage, the Panthers were struggling at times to connect passes.

In the 10th minute, Buffalo took advantage as the Panthers couldn’t clear a ball played into the box from a corner kick attempt, as Kaya Schultz found room to drive a shot into the left side of goal for the 1-0 lead for the visitors.

The Panthers responded in the 24th minute, as Samiah Phiri leveled the match at 1-1 after a wild sequence when true freshman Lola Abraham’s one-time redirect hit the right post, then caromed in a straight line to the left side of the box for Keera Melonhorst to quickly pass off to the middle of the box for Phiri, who drove a shot that Buffalo keeper Lexie Thompson got a hand on, but couldn’t stop.

After the teams came out of the half eager to break a 1-1 deadlock, the Bulls shocked the Panthers for a second time when Jasmine Guerber converted her chance thanks to a possession that was kept alive in the box by UB teammates Kelly Severini and Schultz, who quickly swung around passes from the right to the left side, finding Guerber, who had enough time and plenty of room to beat Pitt’s keeper Ellie Breech for the 2-1 lead.

Pitt brought more pressure in trying to break through for another equalizer, firing 15 of their 28 shots in the final 45 minutes, to no avail.

Of note, sophomore Nigerian international Deborah Abiodun, who started the first two matches after returning from her experience playing at the Olympic Games, did not dress and was not available for the match.

While Pitt’s coaching staff was not available for comment after the match, Buffalo’s Shawn Burke was ecstatic with his program’s first-ever win vs a top-10 opponent.

“So unbelievable proud of the group and their effort,” said Burke.

“We came out flying and buzzing, got tired and things kind of fell off a bit and we were a bit lucky to be tied at the half. The response, the adjustments and the buy in from the group was great. It took everyone. There are players who stood on their head today but I think collectively everyone who was here today contributed and when they come together it’s a special group.”

Team Totals

TEAM Shots SOG Saves Fouls Corners OffSides
10 4 9 9 3 0
28 12 2 8 5 3

Match Updates:

Pitt’s Starting Lineup

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