The Pitt-Bradford women’s soccer program began its 2014 season with a 4-1 victory over Geneva on Saturday.
Pitt-Bradford (1-0) picked up where it left off in the fall of 2013 with its two star players, junior Maggie Boehler and sophomore Melissa Smith, each tallying goals for the Panthers. Boehler tacked on her first goal of the year, while Smith registered two goals during the match.
Freshman goalkeeper Sarah Dailey, replacing former keeper Danielle Erdley, grabbed two saves in her debut between the posts for the Panthers.
Pitt-Bradford found itself in a hole early, trailing Geneva 1-0 on an unassisted mark by Kimberly Orihel in the seventh minute. That was the only offense Geneva would generate during the contest as it was all Pitt-Bradford from that moment on.
The Panthers found the equalizer in the 14th minute when the duo of Smith and Boehler hooked up for the first time this season. Boehler fed the ball to Smith in the box who found the back of the net for the first goal of the year.
Minutes later it was Boehler’s turn to finish with the ball in the net. Smith was credited with the assist as the duo again teamed up to put the Panthers in the lead for good. In the 26th minute, freshman Kaitlyn Donnelly scored on an unassisted goal to give the Panthers a 3-1 lead heading into the locker room at the break.
With a big lead and the clock dwindling, Smith moved passed the last defender in the 82nd minute to score an unassisted goal, her second of the contest, and give the game its final tally.
Dailey was credited with the win in her first start between the posts. The Lady Panthers travel to face St. Vincent on Friday. First touch is set for 4 p.m.
Men’s soccer falls to Wells 2-1
The Pitt-Bradford men’s soccer team wrapped up action in the Keuka Tournament on Saturday afternoon with a 2-1 defeat to Wells College.
Pitt-Bradford (0-2) kept the game at a scoreless tie for the first 29 minutes of action. At that time, Wells’ Hunter Sowersby fed a through-ball to Trevor Fahey that found its way into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
Three minutes later, Sowersby scored on an unassisted goal to give Wells a 2-0 advantage prior to halftime.
In the second half, junior Meleki Wamulume gave Pitt-Bradford its first goal of the 2014 season on a pass from Brian Bao. The Panthers failed to find the equalizer though as the clock expired on a slow start to the new year.
The Panthers will return to the grass for the 2014 home opener Tuesday. Pitt-Bradford hosts Alfred in a 4 p.m. contest at the Kessel Athletic Complex.
Volleyball drops final pair
on day two 3-1, 3-0
The Pitt-Bradford volleyball team dropped its final two matches of the University of Scranton Tournament on Saturday.
The Panthers fell in game one, 3-1, to Keystone by way of 25-15, 25-23 and 25-23. The Panthers took the first set 25-20 but couldn’t find an answer for Keystone’s comeback. In game two, the championship game, the Panthers fell 3-0 by way of 28-26, 25-21 and 25-11 defeats.
Pitt-Bradford (2-2) began the day with a win in its first set. However, the Panthers failed to capitalize on opportunities afterward that resulted in back-to-back losses.
In game one, the Panthers fell to Keystone 3-1. The Panthers won game one 25-20, before falling in the final three games 25-15, 25-23 and 25-23.
Senior Brittni Cumberland led the way again for the Panthers with 16 kills, 11 assists and seven digs. Fellow senior Taylor McMillen tallied 16 kills, two blocks and four assists. Sophomore Brittany Watts made her presence known with four kills and four blocks.
Continuing the tallies for Pitt-Bradford, senior Peyton Kauffman finished with 19 assists and seven digs, while sophomore Kelsey Repke notched 16 digs on the defensive front.
In game two, the Panthers faced host Scranton for the tournament championship. Pitt-Bradford had no answer for the attack of Scranton.
Junior Jenessa Ceprish led the Panthers in game two with six kills, two assists and one dig.
The Panthers battled their way through the first set, dropping it in extra play by two points. The second set was much the same with Pitt-Bradford falling in the end after a hard fought outing. The Panthers seemed to run out of gas in the final set with Scranton pulling away and taking the victory.
McMillen was named to the All-Tournament Team for this even.
Pitt-Bradford will return to the court on Friday. The Panthers face Fredonia State and Frostburg in matches at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Men’s golf places ninth in UPB Invitational
The Pitt-Bradford men’s golf team hosted its annual UPB Invitational at the Pine Acres Country Club on Saturday.
The Panthers carded a team score of 353 to finish ninth in the tournament on the par-72 course. Penn State Behrend claimed the top spot with a team score of 311. Coming in second place was Elmira with a 315. Rounding out the top scores was Thiel with a team score of 316.
Junior Zach Spicer turned in the best performance on the Panthers’ roster during the event. Spicer carded an 83, 11 strokes over par. Sophomore Alex Hunter carded an 86, while freshman Brett Gardner finished with a 92.
Sophomore John Bedford also turned in a 92 and freshman Shayne Kraynyk, in his first outing for the Panthers, turned in a 112.
The Panthers return to the tee box on Sunday. Pitt-Bradford will take part in the Hilbert Invitational beginning at 10 a.m.
