The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford volleyball team returned home for Alumni and Family weekend on Saturday, hosting their annual tri-match. They took on Elmira and Wilson, defeating the former 3-1 and the latter 3-2 to sweep the event.
Game 1: Pitt-Bradford 3, Elmira 1
The Panthers opened the day with a matchup against the Elmira Soaring Eagles. The Panthers used a potent offense to defeat Elmira in 4, recording 50 kills with a .193 team-hitting percentage.
They took the opening set 25-22 but then lost a nailbiter 25-27 to level the match at 1 set. Pitt-Bradford took control of the match with an 11-2 run in the third, which gave them a commanding lead in the set and a springboard to close the match. They finished the third set with an easy 25-16 win before closing the match with 3 straight points to win the 4th 25-22.
Emma King Stepped up in the match and recorded 15 kills, with a .429 hitting percentage, a career high. Jenna Louser and Alycia Wilson both added 9 kills. Louser also had 5 total blocks. Alexah Martinez dished out 28 assists, while Abby King chipped in with 17. Kayla Maslowski led the defensive effort with 19 digs. Danielle Sasuga also reached double figures with 10.
Game 2: Pitt-Bradford 3, Wilson 2
The final game of the day saw the Panthers take on the Wilson Phoenix, winning in 5.
Pitt-Bradford jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, winning the first two sets 25-21. They nearly closed the match in the third, but could not finish off the Phoenix, extending the match with a 24-26 loss. The Phoenix used the momentum from set 3 to win the 4th 18-25 to set up a deciding fifth set. In the 5th, the Panthers built an early lead, before letting the Phoenix back in the game with a 6-2 run to tie the set at 11. They settled down and scored the final 4 points of the period to win the set 15-11 and the match 3-2.
Jenna Louser and Ruby Smith had career games, both finishing with 19 kills. Louser hit .485 in the match and also added 2 digs and 1.5 blocks. Smith hit .289 with 4 digs. Alexah Martinez recorded 34 kills, while Abby King added 16 more. 4 Panthers reached double figures in digs. Libero Kayla Maslowski led the way with 27. Baylee Fitzsimmons and Mia Gonzales finished with 12 each, and Alexah Martinez added 11. Fitzsimmons also recorded 4 service aces. The victories end the Panthers losing streak and move their record to 3-12 on the season. They will hit the road for a midweek matchup with Thiel, before opening AMCC play at Penn State-Behrend on the 8th.
PITT-BRADFORD WOMEN’S SOCCER FALLS
SALUNGA-LANDISVILLE, Pa. — The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women’s soccer team saw their 5-game win streak come to a screeching halt on Saturday, as they fell 8-1 to Pitt-Greensburg in the AMCC Game of the Week.
The Panthers’ goal was under attack from the whistle, as the Bobcats registered 3 shots in the first 5 minutes. They missed the mark on their first three tries but were able to take a 1-0 lead when they put their first shot on goal in the 7th. Despite the early goal, the Panthers stayed strong for the next 20 minutes and were able to carve out an attack and tie the game at 1 in the 29th. Mya King went on a long dribbling run down the left flank, and after cutting inside 25 yards from the goal, took a line drive shot toward the goal. Her effort was stopped, but not contained, and Avery Yard was the first player to the loose ball. Yard tried to pass back into the box, but after her attempt was blocked, she regained possession and took a quick shot from a sharp angle to beat the Bobcat keeper. The goal is Yard’s 6th of the season. Pitt-Bradford was unable to hold onto momentum, allowing 2 quick Bobcat goals within 3-minutes of tying the score. With 3 minutes left in the half, Pitt-Greensburg struck again, sending the game to the break with Pitt-Bradford trailing 4-1.
In the 2nd half, the Panthers carved out the first two shots of the period. Gianna Gomez had the first, as she controlled a free kick on the edge of the box and hit the post with a half-volley. A minute later, Lauren Donnelly looped a shot toward the goal from the right wing but saw her effort caught in the goal. The Bobcats responded and regained control, scoring two quick goals in 1 minute and 15 seconds. They continued their assault on the goal through the half, but Maddison Coe made two more saves before allowing the 7th goal of the game in the 72nd. Mackenzie Harmon replaced her for the final 11 minutes, making 1 save while allowing a goal in the 87th minute.
Avery Yard scored the lone goal for the Panthers. The unassisted tally was her 6th of the season. Maddison Coe played 79 minutes in goal and made 5 saves. Mackenzie Harmon made 1 save over the final 11.
The Panthers fall to 5-2-1 on the season with an 0-1 record in AMCC play. They will be back in action on Tuesday, as they host Alfred State at Rathburn Family Field. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m.
UPB MEN’S SOCCER DROPS AMCC OPENER
GREENSBURG, Pa. — The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford men’s soccer team traveled to Greensburg on Saturday for their AMCC opening match against the Pitt-Greensburg Bobcats. They trailed 2-0 at the break, and despite a 2nd half goal from Bailee Verdill, ultimately lost the game 6-1.
The Panthers started on the front foot, as Bailee Verdill recorded the first shot on goal of the game in the 9th minute as his effort was stopped in the Bobcat goal. Yihao Xu created the chance, sending a well-timed through ball behind the defense for Verdill. Troy Van Sickle made two saves in the Panthers’ goal before a quick shot from the left flank found the side netting to give the hosts a 10-0 lead. Two minutes after the goal, Andre Fratercangelo unleashed a shot from well outside the 18, but his looping effort was acrobatically tipped over the bar. Will Smith had an opportunity to tie the match in the 29th minute when the Panthers were awarded a free kick outside the 18. Smith curled a shot around the wall and on target, only to see his effort parried away for a corner. Pitt-Bradford would rue the missed chances later in the half, as Pitt-Greensburg doubled their lead in the 38th.
Pitt-Bradford came out of the halftime break slowly and saw their deficit grow to 3 after 4 minutes. They were able to get on the board 5-minutes later. The Panthers took advantage of a throw-in on the right flank, as Alex Stockton caught the Bobcats napping, quickly restarting with a throw-in that sent Verdill on the break. Verdill controlled the ball and finished past the keeper. The goal is his 4th of the season. Pitt-Bradford could not hang on to momentum for long, as the hosts restored their lead under a minute later.
Pitt-Greensburg added another in the 62nd minute before the Panthers had another chance to score in the 66th. After a corner kick was headed out of the box, Brady Hathaway settled the loose ball and looped a shot to the upper corner, but his shot was once again knocked away for a corner kick. Hathaway put another shot on target in the 83rd, finding space on the left wing for a shot, however, the angle was too sharp and his shot was caught in the Bobcat goal. Michael Riedel replaced VanSickle for the final 3 minutes, but could not keep the Bobcats out of the goal, allowing one final tally with 32 seconds remaining.
Bailee Verdill scored his 4th goal of the season in the loss. He finished with 2 shots, both on target. Alex Stockton assisted the goal, his 2nd of the season. Brady Hathaway also put two shots on goal, While Andre Fratercangelo and Will Smith also put attempts on target. Troy Van Sickle made 14 saves in the loss.
The loss drops the Panthers to 0-8 on the season, with an 0-1 record in AMCC play. They will return to action on Tuesday, October 1st, when they travel to Alfred State for another AMCC matchup. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
