FINAL: Riveters 2, Flower City FC 0 (USL W-League)

USL W League – Week 4

Riveters 2, Flower City 1872 0

Match Stats: USL W League Match Center

Instant Recap

The weather was miserably wet, but the result was plenty happy on Friday night as the Pittsburgh Riveters SC secured the first home win in team history on Friday, 2-0, over Flower City 1872.

With the field playing better than the weather would have you believe, the early exchanges of the first half were relatively even. After a few touches in Flower City’s box, it was actually the Riveters under pressure early as a direct ball up top was put on-target from close range, but was impressively parried away by Pauline Nelles in goal.

The Riveters were quick to respond, with Tanum Nelson getting into close quarters and putting her own effort on net and forcing a save from Flower City. Momentum continued to swing in the Riveters favor from that point forward, coming to a head just minutes later.

After some extended pressure, Tessa Dellarose put a long-range effort on target which proved difficult for the Flower City netminder to handle. Lurking nearby, Alexis Tylenda was able to pounce on the fumble and blast it into the back of the net for the first home goal in Riveters history at Highmark Stadium.

The Riveters didn’t let up and continued to mount even more pressure as the first half continued. Ultimately, just before half, Tanum Nelson would play a brilliant through-ball to the feet of Olivia Damico. The latter calmly rounded the keeper and slotted her finish into a wide-open net to double the Riveters lead just before the halftime whistle blew.

With the Riveters on two days rest and Flower City with another game in two days time, the second half played slower as both sides tried to conserve some legs. Some back and forth possession yielded little in the way of meaningful attack in the second period of play.

Despite a few corners from each side, the ensuing deliveries struggled in the rain and each had trouble finding dangerous areas in the box. With the keepers largely relegated to fielding overshot through-ball attempts, the game settled in and the Riveters happily maintained their 2-0 advantage.

Aside from a late, soft effort on goal from Nelson following a strong tackle and counter from the Riveters defensive line, and a late direct free kick taken well clear of goal, each goal remained unthreatened in the final minutes. The final whistle would blow with the first home Riveters win in team history, 2-0.

After a much-needed 6-day break, the Riveters will return to action next Thursday, June 5th, on the road at Erie Sports Center before returning home against FC Buffalo on June 8th.

Match Day Updates

Look for match updates and commentary to be posted here.

FINAL: Riveters 2-0 Flower City 1872 The first home win in Riveters history comes in shutout fashion on a rainy Friday night at Highmark Stadium! The hosts see off Flower City comfortably after two first-half goals.

88′ – And now the final pair of Riveters subs: On are Proviano and Lindeman, replacing Nelson and Wells

78′ – Fourth sub for Flower City: Cregan on for Tellex

73′ – Another pair of Riveters subs to relieve tired legs from Wednesday: On come Syam and Boyd to replace Williams and Tylenda

65′ – And now another sub for Flower City, who have another game in two days time, mind you: Adiutore on for Hanrahan

60′ – A little slower on the pace of play to start the second half, some subs for the Riveters at the hour mark: In come Reilly and Bulava, Off go Neighbors and Damico

46′ – Second half underway! A pair of subs for Flower City here: On come Wilson and Poissant, off go Parrotte and Cipolla

Halftime – After a relatively even first few minutes, it’s been all Riveters, who find two goals in the first half for a comfortable lead despite the rainy night

45′ – GOAL, RIVETERS! It’s a goal for Olivia Damico, who calmly rounds the keeper and slots it into a wide open net on the assist from Tanum Nelson! The hosts extend the lead to 2-0!

43′ – Ouch, tough collision in the box as a Tessa Dellarose and the Flower City keeper collide as both went for a cross. Everybody okay after a few moments to recuperate, thankfully.

35′ – Pressure still consistently in the Flower City half, Riveters reaching for a second goal and pinning the visitors back. Flower City trying to play long and direct, but to little effect after their early flurry.

20′ – GOAL, RIVETERS! The first home goal in Riveters history goes to Alexis Tylenda! She puts away the fumble by the Flower City keeper after the long range effort from Tessa Dellarose. The hosts lead 1-0 on the rainy evening!

13′ – And now a shot on-target from Tanum Nelson from close range, parried away by the Flower City goalkeeper at short-range! Back-and-forth in the early portions here.

8′ – Dangerous chance for Flower City! The direct ball goes through and Emily Hanrahan (?) gets onto it in the box and fires a shot on-target, but saved by Pauline Nelles in net with great reflexes!

7′ – Corner here for the Riveters, set pieces could be big in the rain. The take is off and hits the netting directly, goal kick.

6′ – A scramble in front of goal for a loose ball that Kennedy Neighbors gets a weak foot to, but it’s eventually wrangled by Flower City’s keeper.

4′ – First shot for the Riveters from the left side of goal, but it’s blasted well high and wide. Good, progressive moves early on for the hosts.

1′ – It is still pouring here at Highmark, but we are underway nonetheless for the second home game in Riveters history! Flower City in the white tops and purple shorts, Riveters in their home black-and-yellows, game on!

Pre-Match

The weather is windy and rainy and promises to remain so for the rest of the evening. The field, although damp, appears to be draining effectively under the deluge, and we seem set to play some soccer tonight barring unexpected lightning.

The Riveters enter Friday’s match off their first loss of the year away at Cleveland mid-week this past Wednesday, sitting at 1-1-1 through three matches. Their lone win thus far came in the reverse of tonight’s fixture, when they defeated Flower City 1872, 3-2, on the road in an offensive slugfest. The home side will try and double their win count by doing the double over Flower City tonight. Meanwhile, the visitors look for their second win as well after defeating FC Buffalo in their season-opener before dropping match two to the Riveters last weekend.

Tanum Nelson, who scored a brace for the Riveters last weekend against Flower City and leads the team in scoring, will look to contribute to a potent attack once again. Meanwhile, the defense will hope to shore things up after surrendering three goals midweek to Cleveland and five goals in their past two matches following a season-opening shutout draw.

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