Early Season Heartbreak at Ambrose: Texas converts late VAR Penalty to hand Pitt 1-0 defeat

NCAA Women’s Soccer 

FINAL: Texas 1, Pitt 0

Match Stats

How It Happened

A 75th-minute VAR handball decision proved to be the decisive stroke on Sunday afternoon at Ambrose Urbanic Field, as Texas escaped Oakland with a tight 1-0 victory over the Pitt women’s soccer.

Despite dictating long stretches of play and generating the sharper run-of-play opportunities—particularly off a relentless right-flank attack—Pitt (1-1-0) was left empty-handed when SEC standout Amalia Villarreal converted from the spot following a video review.

“Really proud of the effort… thought we controlled large stretches of the match, especially out wide,” Pitt head coach Ben Waldrum said to Pittsburgh Soccer Now after the match.

“In games like this against top quality sides, the margin for error is razor-thin. We created enough quality looks to get a result today, but we have to sharpen up the execution in the final third and learn from these tight moments.”

How It Happened

Texas looked to impose its rhythm early by springing its dynamic front line into isolated 1-on-1 situations. However, Pitt’s central defensive pairing of Katie Zailski and Sophie Rourke quickly established an impassable wall, repeatedly stepping up to close off direct passing lanes and neutralize the danger.

With the central channels locked down, Pitt gradually took hold of the tempo. Operating through Katie Ellermeyer and Sage Stelzer, the Panthers began ripping open space down the right wing. Stelzer and Ellermeyer repeatedly bypassed the Texas press, driving deep into the final third to send a barrage of dangerous low services across the face of goal. While several cross-box deliveries whistled past without a trailing leg to apply the final touch, Pitt’s high press tilted possession heavily over the final 15 minutes of the half. By the break, the Panthers held a 10-8 edge in total shots while keeping the scoreline level.

Pitt emerged from the halftime interval with relentless energy, instantly putting the Longhorns under siege.

Just seconds into the second half, Claire Jones picked out Stelzer at the back post with a perfectly weighted diagonal ball from the left flank, though Stelzer couldn’t quite get full leverage on the volley. Moments later in the 48th minute, Stelzer surged down the right side once more, cutting inside onto her left foot and hammering a long-range laser that forced Texas goalkeeper Bayliss Flynn into an acrobatic, punch-save over the crossbar.

The set-piece chances continued to stack up. In the 60th minute, Rourke rose above the defense on Pitt’s third corner kick of the half, cleanly connecting on a header that grazed just over the crossbar. Four minutes later, another break down the right flank paid dividends when Stelzer whipped a low cross into a crowded box.

A slipping Texas defender allowed the ball to skid through to Adi Bianchin, who struck a low one-time drive that forced Flynn into another diving stop.

Texas generated its first clear sight on goal in the 74th minute, when forward Ava McDonald showcased footwork along the right edge of the penalty area. McDonald freed herself to curl a right-footed shot toward the upper corner, but Pitt freshman goalkeeper Elli Johnson rose to the moment with a big save.

The match turned on the resulting set piece.

As the ball floated toward the near post, play was halted for a VAR check to review a potential handball against Rourke inside the 18-yard box. Upon review, the referee pointed to the spot.

Amelia Villarreal stepped up in the 75th minute and sent Johnson the wrong way, burying the penalty kick to break the deadlock.

Faced with a 1-0 deficit, Pitt pushed numbers forward in the closing 15 minutes. The Panthers came inches away from a storybook response in the 85th minute: following a series of aerial volleys inside the penalty box, Bianchin broke free behind the line with only Flynn to beat. Her one-time push flew past the keeper, only to drift just inches wide of the left post.

Pitt maintained absolute control of possession straight through to the 90th minute, but a final lofted service into the box was cleared out of danger, allowing Texas to escape with the clean sheet.

Post-Game Reactions

Following the tough defeat, Pitt head coach Ben Waldrum and freshman goalkeeper Elli Johnson spoke to the media on press row:

Head Coach Ben Waldrum

Waldrum praised his squad’s performance against a high-caliber opponent while addressing the fine margins in a 1-0 outcome:

▶️ Watch Ben Waldrum’s Full Reaction: Instagram Reel — Ben Waldrum Post-Game

Goalkeeper Elli Johnson

Johnson, who recorded two acrobatic diving saves on the day, reflected on her big 74th-minute tip-save and the late penalty decision:

“You just try to stay locked in and make the play when your team needs you. It’s a tough way to lose on a VAR decision, but we proved we can go toe-to-toe with anyone. We’ll take the positives from how well we defended in open play and bounce back.”

▶️ Watch Ellie Johnson’s Full Interview: Instagram Reel — Ellie Johnson Post-Game

Starting Lineups & Match Details

Pitt Panthers Lineup (First Half Starters & Rotations)

• GK: Elli Johnson (#0)

• DEF: Mya Archibald (#2), Claire Jones (#11), Sage Stelzer (#12), Katie Zailski (#21), Sophie Rourke (#30)

• MID: Maci Tew (#5), Mariama Dabo (#6), Katie Ellermeyer (#24)

• FWD/ATT: Lola Abraham (#8), Adi Bianchin (#15)

• Subs: Desiree Reed (#16), Celine Ottah (#20), Talyn Guthrie (#26)

Texas Longhorns Lineup (First Half Starters & Rotations)

• GK: Bayliss Flynn (#0)

• Players: Ava McDonald (#1), Audrey Bryant (#7), Sadie Hoch (#9), Mya Brandon (#11), Zoey Lavezzi (#12), Ashlyn Anderson (#13), Alicia Riggins (#15), Callan Harrington (#18), Hannah Tate (#27), Amalia Villarreal (#44)

• Subs: Ashley Moody (#4), Ava Cashman (#8), Molly MacMillan (#17), Kennedi Cotter (#24), Cambry Patrick (#26), Addie Brink (#34)

John Krysinsky

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).